Budget Airline Penalised for Punctuality Problems
In an unusual regulatory move, Ryanair has been stripped of two valuable landing slots at a major European airport following a pattern of consistently late arrivals. The decision was formally announced by Airport Coordination Netherlands (ACNL), the body responsible for allocating airport slots.
The low-cost carrier will lose its slots at Eindhoven Airport for the upcoming summer schedule after authorities identified repeated delays on specific routes.
The Specific Flights Under Scrutiny
ACNL's investigation found that Ryanair flights were particularly tardy on Monday and Thursday evenings. The Monday evening service from Sofia, Bulgaria, and the Thursday night flight from Pisa, Italy, were consistently arriving late.
The authority reported that these flights were, on average, more than an hour behind schedule, prompting the punitive measure of slot removal for summer 2024.
Ryanair's Strong Reaction and Appeal
Ryanair has vehemently opposed the decision, issuing a statement defending its record as 'the most punctual airline in Europe'. The airline has labelled ACNL's action as 'unprecedented, irrational and disproportionate'.
The carrier confirmed it has appealed to the European Commission and the Dutch courts, expressing confidence that the ruling will be overturned. Ryanair criticised the threshold for penalties, arguing that ACNL is punishing delays of just 15 minutes, a standard it claims is out of line with most other European airports.
In a sharp critique, the airline also took aim at EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, using a pun on her name, for failing to deliver on air traffic control (ATC) reform, which it blames for many delays.
The immediate impact on passengers travelling to the Dutch hub remains unclear. This news follows closely on the heels of Ryanair's recent implementation of a strict new online check-in policy and its announcement to halt flights from several French airports next year, citing tax changes.
