Business Daily What has happened to Europe's air traffic controllers?
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Dec 1, 2025 Frederic Delo, a Vice President of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations, sheds light on the overwhelming staffing issues leading to chaos in air travel. Yvonne Moynihan from Wizz Air discusses the financial fallout from delays, while Dr. Marina Efthimeo highlights the recruitment challenges exacerbated by COVID and geopolitical changes. Brendan Mulligan reveals innovative outreach efforts to attract new controllers, emphasizing the urgent need for policy reforms to ensure safety and efficiency in European air traffic management.
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Passenger Frustrations And Chaos
- Passengers described being trapped on planes for hours and chaotic scenes at airports during ATC disruptions.
- Frustrated travellers recounted crying children, long waits and repeated calls to confusing hotlines.
Controllers Hit A Capacity Ceiling
- Air traffic controllers face high sector occupancy and strict break limits, creating a capacity ceiling during peak demand.
- Frederic Delo warns this leads to regulations that restrict traffic and increases fatigue, risking safety and delays.
Delays Hit Airlines' Pockets
- ATC delays translate into huge costs and compensation liabilities for airlines even when fault lies elsewhere.
- Yvonne Moynihan reports 20 million minutes of ATM-attributed delays costing airlines refunds and fines.