Data published by aviation analytics firm Cirium on Friday (7 July) shows that 186,220 flights are scheduled to depart from the UK in July and August – up 12% and 124% on 2022 and 2021 levels respectively.
Nevertheless, a significant portion of them could be cancelled or delayed as staff at Eurocontrol, the EU’s air traffic management body, are set to announce a walkout over staffing issues and pay.
Sources told The Times the industrial action – which could be announced as soon as Monday – will lead to delays or cancellations for up to 12,600 daily services across Europe.
The walkout is set to be extremely disruptive as Eurocontrol staff handle more than 30,000 flights on any given day and, according to sources, there are no contingency plans in place to keep operations going.
“In a full-blown strike, 20% to 30% of flights would be at least delayed,” a source told the newspaper. “They are big numbers.”
When approached for comment, a Eurocontrol spokesperson told TTG the body was still in talks with the unions and it was "hopeful of a positive outcome".
The strike announcement comes as Eurocontrol director general Raul Medina Caballero told European holidaymakers earlier this week to prepare for a “challenging summer” due to available space shrinking by 20% as well as the prospect of strikes.
Medina Caballero has also urged all stakeholders – especially airports and air traffic control operators – to be sufficiently staffed, while telling airlines to stick to their schedules.
His comments were echoed by Jo Rhodes, Which? Travel deputy editor, who said it is "essential" airports and airlines work together to "keep travellers updated of any potential issues."
