Irish Summer Holidays at Risk of Huge Delays

Look — I wouldn’t last ten minutes as an air traffic controller. I get anxious enough pretending not to see someone I know in the local newsagents, never mind directing planes across Europe. And when it comes to making fast decisions? I’ve nearly sparked a 20-minute stand-off in a chipper just trying to pick between curry or garlic sauce.

But these lads and ladies? The real deal. Highly skilled. Highly valuable. Which is exactly why when they go on strike — Houston, we have a serious problem.

Summer 2025’s air traffic control strike season has officially taken off. The Greeks have already fired the first shot — walking out on April 9th for a full 24 hours. Flights to and from Athens, Paris, Porto and Dublin? Grounded. Ryanair have already cancelled a “small number” of Irish flights — but let’s be honest, small numbers add up when you’re sitting on a suitcase in T2 eating crisps for dinner.

And this is only the warm-up act. Experts reckon staff shortages across Europe could delay 1 in 3 flights between June and August — even without strikes. And if France gets involved (the Lionel Messi of air traffic control strikes), we might as well all get the tent out and camp in Dublin Airport.

Pack your patience. Pack your snacks. And maybe start looking at Donegal for the summer.