7 October 2010
Budget airlines EasyJet and Ryanair have called on European regulators to put legislation in place to prevent further strike action by air traffic controllers. EasyJet said that the recent strikes in Europe will cost the airline around £6 million in passenger compensation, whilst Ryanair said strikes in Belgium, France and Spain have forced it to cancel 1,400 flights and delay over 12,000 other flights, disrupting more than 2.5 million passengers.
Ryanair has also called on the Commission to remove the right to strike from air traffic controllers and wants the EU to change legislation to stop essential air transport services, from striking and reform the EU261 Passenger Rights Legislation. Ryanair has said it will take legal action against Belgocontrol following the wildcat strikes in Belgium, which caused the cancellation of over 90 Ryanair flights, disrupting over 15,000 passengers. It says the unannounced strike cost the airline £874,560[1].
EasyJet Chief Executive, Carolyn McCall, said the significant disruption caused to millions of passengers across Europe demonstrates the urgent need for European Governments and the European Commission to modernise Europe’s outdated system of air traffic control providers and to end the ongoing strike action.
http://www.uk-airport-news.info/stansted-airport-news-071010a.html
[1] Reported as €1 million