Lois Larson
Ryanair has been affected by strikes in various countries, including France, Finland, Belgium, Italy, and Greece. In April 2024, a French air traffic control strike forced Ryanair to cancel 300 flights, impacting 50,000 passengers. In May 2025, Ryanair was also impacted by strike action at Helsinki Airport, with one direct Ryanair flight affected and indirect flights facing disruption. These strikes have caused widespread disruption, with many flights between other states passing through the affected countries' airspace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Spring 2025 |
| Affected Airlines | Ryanair, Finnair, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air Baltic, Norwegian Airlines |
| Affected Airports | Helsinki, London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cork, Shannon, Dublin |
| Affected Flights | 20-25 flights from the UK to Helsinki, 38 flights from Dublin Airport, 2 Air France flights from Cork Airport, 1 Aer Lingus departure from Shannon Airport, 300 Ryanair flights |
| Affected Passengers | 3,200-4,000 Britons, 50,000 Ryanair passengers |
| Reason | Staff shortages, poor working conditions, low wages, post-COVID cuts, Russia's airspace closure |
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What You'll Learn
Helsinki Airport strike causes Ryanair to cancel flights
Ryanair passengers have been warned of potential disruption to flights due to strike action at Helsinki Airport. The Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) announced industrial action on May 16 and 19, 2025, causing extensive disruptions to Finnair traffic. Ryanair is one of several airlines affected by the strikes, which will impact travellers heading to destinations such as Tokyo and Bangkok.
Helsinki Airport is a major transit hub for Asia, and the strike action is expected to cause "unpredictable chaos and maximise disruption", according to aviation expert Anton Radchenko. Radchenko also noted that Finland has seen more than seven strikes since 2023, with five taking place in 2025 alone.
The IAU's industrial action will affect many functions essential for airline operations, including customer service, aircraft maintenance, baggage handling, cargo, ground handling operations, and catering services. As a result, passengers travelling through Helsinki can expect congestion and delays in baggage delivery, in addition to flight cancellations and delays.
While Ryanair has not specified the number of flights that will be impacted by the strike, it is recommended that passengers travelling through Helsinki Airport on the affected dates stay updated on their flight status and prepare for a disrupted journey. Passengers whose flights are cancelled or significantly delayed may be entitled to compensation or a refund, although this may depend on the conditions of their airline and travel insurance.
To minimise the impact on their journey, passengers are encouraged to check in advance, arrive at the airport on time, and pack essential items in their carry-on baggage. Finnair has also advised customers to ensure that their contact information is up to date on their reservations.
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French strike forces Ryanair to cancel 300+ flights
Ryanair was forced to cancel more than 300 flights across Europe on 25 April 2024 due to a strike by French air traffic controllers. The cancellations came despite the withdrawal of strike action by the SNCTA, France's biggest air traffic controllers' union. The French civil aviation authority had asked airlines to cancel 75% of flights at Paris' Orly airport and 55% at Charles de Gaulle airport. Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, criticised the French authorities for failing to protect overflights—where planes fly over France without landing—during industrial action. He also called on the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, to take action to protect overflights by law during air traffic control strikes.
Ryanair stated that 50,000 of its passengers would be affected, most of whom would simply be flying over French airspace en route to destinations such as Greece, Spain, or Italy. The airline urged passengers to join its campaign by signing its 'Protect Overflights: Keep EU Skies Open' petition, which has received over 2.1 million signatures.
Air traffic control strikes have caused significant disruption to European air travel, with 16,000 flights cancelled and 85,000 delayed in 2023. Airline officials have raised concerns about the potential impact on the Paris Olympics if deals are not struck in advance.
While strikes are a common bargaining chip in negotiations between unions and employers, they can have a significant impact on travellers. It is recommended that passengers check for any strike dates at their intended airline and departure and arrival airports before booking their flights.
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Ryanair passengers affected by Dublin Airport cancellations
Ryanair passengers have been affected by flight cancellations at Dublin Airport due to strikes and other factors. In April 2023, Ryanair cancelled 220 flights on a bank holiday Monday due to a French air traffic control strike, impacting about 35 flights at Dublin Airport and affecting up to 40,000 passengers across Europe. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary criticised French officials for the disruption, arguing that it was unfair for flights travelling through French airspace but not landing in France to be impacted.
In September 2024, Ryanair announced the indefinite cancellation of 14 busy routes from Dublin Airport for the winter period due to disagreements over a 32 million passenger limit. The affected routes included destinations in Spain, France, Germany, Lithuania, and Romania. Ryanair stated that it was unlikely to restore all the cancelled routes in summer 2025.
In November 2024, some Ryanair passengers experienced confusion when they received emails incorrectly stating that their flights from Dublin and around Europe were cancelled due to a technical glitch. Ryanair reinstated the flights within approximately 14 hours and notified the affected passengers. The airline offered refunds to those who had booked alternative flights with other airlines during that period.
Passengers impacted by Ryanair flight cancellations at Dublin Airport may be entitled to compensation or assistance under applicable Passenger Rights Regulations, such as EU261. However, compensation eligibility depends on the reasons for the cancellation and may not apply if the cancellation is due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the airline's control, such as air traffic control strikes or adverse weather conditions. Passengers are advised to check the terms and conditions of their bookings, as well as their travel insurance policies, to understand their rights and options in the event of flight disruptions.
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Irish airports impacted by French air traffic control strike
In 2024, a pay dispute between French air traffic controllers' unions and their employer, France's civil aviation authority DGAC, caused the cancellation of more than 40 flights to and from Irish airports. Dublin Airport was the most affected, with 23 planned departures and 13 arrivals cancelled. Ryanair confirmed that the industrial action had forced it to cancel 300 flights across Europe, affecting around 50,000 passengers.
Dublin Airport was not the only Irish airport impacted by the French air traffic control strike. Cork Airport saw two Air France flights cancelled, and Shannon Airport had one Aer Lingus departure cancelled. Belfast International Airport also experienced cancellations, with one flight to Paris unable to go ahead.
The French air traffic control strike caused widespread disruption as many flights between other states pass through French airspace without landing or taking off. The industrial action impacted services from Ireland to Italy, as well as flights to southern Europe from Germany and Scandinavia. Ryanair warned of potential knock-on delays to non-cancelled flights.
Passengers were advised to check directly with their airline for updates and flight status information. It is important to note that if a passenger books a flight knowing that a strike is set to take place, they are unlikely to receive compensation. However, if the strike causes a flight delay or cancellation, the airline may be obliged to provide assistance or compensation, depending on their specific policies.
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Ryanair flights affected by Finland Aviation Union strike
Ryanair flights are facing disruption due to the Finnish Aviation Union strike, which is impacting Helsinki Airport. The industrial action is causing extensive disruptions to Finnair flights, with knock-on effects on other airlines, including Ryanair.
The Finnish Aviation Union IAU's strike action on May 16 and 19 is expected to cause significant disruption to flights. This follows earlier industrial action on May 2 and 5, which resulted in the cancellation of approximately 140 Finnair flights and impacted thousands of passengers.
The strikes are a response to poor working conditions, staff shortages, long hours, and low wages, exacerbated by the cost of living crisis and pandemic-era pay cuts. The precision strikes through staggered shifts will create unpredictable chaos and maximise disruption, with potential knock-on effects on Ryanair flights.
Passengers travelling with Ryanair during the strike period should expect potential delays and cancellations. Ryanair advises that in the event of delays of two hours or more, or if the delay extends to the next day, the airline will provide assistance, including meal coupons and, if necessary, hotel accommodation. Ryanair also recommends that passengers keep all itemised receipts for any reasonable expenses incurred due to delays or cancellations, which can be claimed back.
It is recommended that passengers travelling during the strike period prepare for a disrupted journey, keep essential items in their carry-on luggage, and stay updated on their flight status.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2024, a French air traffic control strike forced Ryanair to cancel 300 flights, affecting 50,000 passengers. Dublin Airport saw 38 cancellations, and Cork and Shannon Airports also experienced cancellations and disruption.
Yes, the strike impacted flights across Europe, including services from Ireland to Italy, and those taking off for Southern Europe from Germany and Scandinavia.
Yes, in May 2025, Ryanair passengers were warned to expect disruption due to industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union at Helsinki Airport. One direct Ryanair flight was affected, and the strike also impacted other airlines that use Helsinki as a major transit hub, such as Lufthansa, Air Baltic, and British Airways.
