Ryanair: Spain Now Europe's Worst for Air Traffic Control
Budget airline Ryanair has declared that Spain’s state-run air traffic control provider, Enaire, is now worse than France’s system, citing a 28% year-on-year rise in delays. More than 32,600 Ryanair flights in Spain have been delayed so far in 2026, affecting six million passengers. The airline claims 10% of its flights operating in Spanish airspace have faced ATC-related delays. Area control centres in Barcelona, Madrid and Seville are among Europe’s worst-performing due to chronic staff shortages and poor planning.
'Spain Has Overtaken France'
Neal McMahon, Ryanair’s chief operating officer, said: “Spain has achieved something that we thought impossible. It has overtaken France to become the worst ATC provider in Europe.”
“The traffic was not unexpected and the summer schedule was no surprise. Enaire has failed to hire, plan and deploy enough controllers to manage demand.”
McMahon pointed to Eurocontrol warnings that special measures will be needed in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville for the remainder of the summer. This, he said, underlines the failure of Enaire’s own ‘70 measures’ programme, which was meant to resolve ongoing issues.
Call for Government Intervention
Ryanair is demanding urgent action from the Spanish government, including hiring more controllers and improving shift planning. The airline warned the delays are damaging both passenger travel and Spain’s reputation as a top European tourism destination. Earlier reports from Ryanair, including data published in July 2026, showed 17,000 delayed flights in Spain over a three-month period, reinforcing the airline’s ongoing concerns.
Reported by theolivepress.es, euroweeklynews.com, Aviacionline, Humphrey Carter, Susmita Das, corporate.ryanair.com, thetraveler.org, By Agencias, Borja Cameselle.
