Air traffic strikes cost €18bn

Air traffic control strikes and staff shortages cost the EU economy €17.6bn in 2018 in the worst year of delays for air passengers in nearly a decade, industry association Airlines for Europe has said.

Air traffic control industrial action, a lack of controllers, or other structural issues were responsible for over 75% of delays, with the number of EU airline passengers affected up 26% on the previous year to 334m, said the industry body, citing Eurocontrol data.