- Ryanair cancelled over 1,000 flights in September 2026 due to air traffic control issues in Britain and strikes in Belgium
- Martin Rolfe faced resignation calls after connectivity issues at Prestwick centre and a software fault on 8 September
- Ryanair carried 20.1m passengers with a 94pc load factor during September
- Wizz Air reported a 24pc rise in passengers to 7.78m but confirmed a 5pc flight programme cut for late 2026
- Volcanic ash from Mount Etna eruptions contributed to European travel disruption
Ryanair has attributed the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights in September to what it describes as a collapse in England’s air traffic control system. The airline has cited two air traffic control issues in Scotland and England during a fortnight last month alongside strikes in Belgium and disruption from volcanic ash clouds originating from Mount Etna eruptions. The carrier has operated over 111,700 flights during September and has carried 20.1m passengers, representing a 4pc increase year on year.
The chief executive of England’s National Air Traffic Services, Martin Rolfe, faced pressure to resign after a series of air traffic issues caused thousands of flight cancellations across the industry during September. A connectivity issue at the Prestwick centre in Scotland precipitated the most recent disruption, which was unrelated to an air traffic control software fault on 8 September that caused widespread flight chaos. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander called a meeting with Nats chairman Warren East, the former chief executive of Rolls-Royce, to discuss the problems.
Ryanair’s load factor remained steady at 94pc last month. Wizz Air reported passenger data showing a 24pc rise year on year in passengers flown last month to 7.78m, with capacity up 25.3pc. Wizz Air confirmed it would cut its flight programme by 5pc over the second half of 2026 due to wider Iran war pressures on the travel sector and soaring fuel costs. Ryanair Holdings PLC shares are trading around €23.79 on European exchanges, while its NASDAQ-listed ADR sits near $55.05 having moved higher in Dublin trade.
