EasyJet cancels 1,700 flights this summer due to air traffic control uncertainty

British airline EasyJet canceled around 1,700 flights by the end of the summer due to air traffic control restrictions in Europe, mostly departing from or arriving at London Gatwick Airport.

“The entire sector is under difficult conditions this summer due to more limited airspace due to the war in Ukraine (…) and possible new air traffic controller strikes,” the company said in a statement sent to AFP.

90,000 flights per period

“So we’ve made some proactive adjustments to our program,” but these are minor changes, the company insists, while EasyJet will fly “over 90,000 flights” over that period. The company clarifies that 95% of interested customers already have seats on another flight.

EasyJet does not name the French air traffic controllers, but strikes they have organized in recent months against pension reform are frustrating the plans of companies that are often forced to bypass the country, Willy, the leader of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said in June. Walsh, their main global organization.

The cancellation of EasyJet flights is not due to a lack of pilots or crew, the company said. A shortage of manpower in the sector has seen UK airports see chaos, endless queues and many canceled flights in the last year leading up to the summer peak.