Ryanair claims UK airspace meltdown cost it €5.4m

Airline is suing air traffic firm NATS over system failure, and claiming interest of 8.5pc on the damages it’s seeking

Air traffic controllers at NATS' huge Swanwick Centre in England

John Mulligan

Ryanair has claimed that a meltdown of the UK’s air traffic control system on a bank holiday in August last year cost it almost €5.4m as it was forced to cancel 354 flights while a further 1,300 suffered delays.

Details of a claim made by Ryanair in London’s High Court against the company that manages the UK’s air traffic control system, NATS, have been seen by the Irish Independent. In the documentation, the airline says it paid more than €3.3m on providing care and assistance to passengers, as it had to under the terms of EU legislation. This included hotel accommodation, meals and refreshments.