We’re denied fair share of air traffic staff, says Ryanair

RYANAIR yesterday accused air traffic controllers of discriminating against holidaymakers who fly with budget airlines by failing to provide enough staff at Stansted and Luton airports.

It seized on Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) figures showing most disruption and cancelled flights in the first three months of 2018 occurred at Stansted and Luton. There was no air traffic control disruption at Heathrow.

A total of 52 per cent of disrupted flights in and around London were at Stansted – a major base for Ryanair and EasyJet. Luton, another budget base, accounted for 30 per cent.

Ryanair claimed it and Stansted were victims of ‘blatant discrimination’ by National Air Traffic Services ( NATS) which allocates controllers to airports. It has complained to the European Commission and the CAA.

NATS said the delays were caused by the introduction of a new digital system. Heathrow experienced disruption when it introduced the system earlier.