Monday, August 26, 2024 This summer, Mallorca emerged as the most affected destination for flight delays originating from the UK, primarily impacting routes to London Gatwick and Manchester. According to a report by Simply Flying, low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet faced significant disruptions, making these routes particularly troublesome for travelers. The delays, however, were not attributed to the airlines themselves but to a combination of external factors, notably related to European air traffic control (ATC) challenges.
Flight Disruptions and Their Causes The summer of 2024 witnessed a surge in flight delays for passengers traveling between the UK and Mallorca. According to EUclaim, the route from Palma de Mallorca to London Gatwick Airport was hit the hardest, recording 45 delays. The Palma de Mallorca to Manchester Airport route followed closely behind with 28 delays.
The situation was exacerbated by various issues beyond the control of the airlines, including staff shortages at airports, increased air traffic congestion, and technical problems. One significant technical issue involved a malfunction in the CrowdStrike/Microsoft software, which contributed to widespread IT outages, further complicating flight operations. Ryanair, in particular, expressed its dissatisfaction with the current state of air traffic control in the region.
The airline called for reforms, highlighting the acute shortage of air traffic controllers since the pandemic as a major fact.