Airlines Called For Action Reduce Air Traffic Delays

Actions by French air traffic controllers this year over proposed increases to the retirement age exacerbated an ongoing dispute between carriers and French air traffic control officers.

Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, called it a "scandal" because the industry crisis in France has restricted several routes across French airspace, causing delays and cancellations in the key tourist market connecting the United Kingdom and Spain. Notwithstanding improvements, O'Leary predicted more air traffic control issues in the coming months despite assurances from airports that they were more prepared for disruptions this summer than they were last year.

The French aviation regulator, the DGAC, has said that it is imposing minimum service criteria for select flights; however, the airline sector would want to see this extended to include overflights and internal flights as well.

At the same time, European airline executives voiced a number of worries during their annual public gathering in Brussels, including the recent wave of strikes that has hit France and other European countries, due to insufficient support by officials. Key carriers have increased their requests for long-term changes to the region's fragmented airspace, which is split up along national lines and causes delays. They also think this would aid in the sector's efforts to cut carbon pollution.

In addition, airline executives have complained that the European Union isn't doing enough to encourage the development of cheaper, more environmentally friendly Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), considered to be the only viable short-term alternative to the industry's carbon emissions problem.

Adina-Ioana Valean, the European Union's transport commissioner, has expressed optimism about making headway later this year.

 

Source: reuters.com