Low-cost carrier Ryanair escalated its long-running feud with European air-traffic providers on 9 January 2026, publishing a ‘League Table of ATC Grinches’ that singles out Spain’s air-navigation service (ENAIRE) for causing 1,098 flight delays between 22 and 31 December—more than any other country. The airline claims the disruptions affected 197,640 passengers during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.
Ryanair blames “chronic understaffing” at Spanish control centres in Madrid and Barcelona, noting that 27 % of the delays occurred during overnight or early-morning slots when skeleton crews were on duty. France, Portugal and Germany followed Spain in the carrier’s ranking. Spanish union USCA counters that ENAIRE has filled 225 new positions since 2024 but that traffic volumes have rebounded to 104 % of pre-pandemic levels, outpacing recruitment.
Business-travel managers say the ripple effects were severe: missed connections for long-haul itineraries, unexpected overnight stays and a spike in duty-of-care costs. Multinationals with Madrid-based hubs had to re-book executives via Lisbon and Milan, adding up to two extra travel days in the critical post-holiday sales period.
![Ryanair Names Spain the Worst ATC ‘Grinch’ After 197,000 Passengers Delayed Over Christmas]()
The Ministry of Transport has called Ryanair’s statement “alarmist” but quietly confirmed that contingency plans—including ATC overtime and temporary transfers from Valencia—will remain in place through Easter. Mobility consultants advise travellers to schedule buffer time when routing through Spanish hubs and to check whether their corporate travel insurance covers ATC-related cancellations.
Whether you’re a frequent flier rerouted through Madrid or a holidaymaker facing an unexpected layover, making sure your documentation is sorted can prevent further delays. VisaHQ provides a streamlined online service for obtaining Spanish visas and travel authorizations, letting you apply, track progress and receive updates in one place—see https://www.visahq.com/spain/ for details.
Long-term reform may hinge on EU-level negotiations over the long-stalled Single European Sky package, due for debate in spring 2026. Until then, airlines and passengers appear caught in a seasonal cycle of blame and disruption.
Ryanair blames “chronic understaffing” at Spanish control centres in Madrid and Barcelona, noting that 27 % of the delays occurred during overnight or early-morning slots when skeleton crews were on duty. France, Portugal and Germany followed Spain in the carrier’s ranking. Spanish union USCA counters that ENAIRE has filled 225 new positions since 2024 but that traffic volumes have rebounded to 104 % of pre-pandemic levels, outpacing recruitment.
Business-travel managers say the ripple effects were severe: missed connections for long-haul itineraries, unexpected overnight stays and a spike in duty-of-care costs. Multinationals with Madrid-based hubs had to re-book executives via Lisbon and Milan, adding up to two extra travel days in the critical post-holiday sales period.
The Ministry of Transport has called Ryanair’s statement “alarmist” but quietly confirmed that contingency plans—including ATC overtime and temporary transfers from Valencia—will remain in place through Easter. Mobility consultants advise travellers to schedule buffer time when routing through Spanish hubs and to check whether their corporate travel insurance covers ATC-related cancellations.
Whether you’re a frequent flier rerouted through Madrid or a holidaymaker facing an unexpected layover, making sure your documentation is sorted can prevent further delays. VisaHQ provides a streamlined online service for obtaining Spanish visas and travel authorizations, letting you apply, track progress and receive updates in one place—see https://www.visahq.com/spain/ for details.
Long-term reform may hinge on EU-level negotiations over the long-stalled Single European Sky package, due for debate in spring 2026. Until then, airlines and passengers appear caught in a seasonal cycle of blame and disruption.
