Ryanair in 2025: Weather Chaos and Strikes Disrupt Flights Across Ireland, the UK, France, and Spain — What Passengers Need to Know

In 2025, Ryanair faced a series of major disruptions caused by storms in Ireland, high winds in the UK, internal operational challenges, French air traffic controller strikes, and Spanish ground staff protests.

At the peak of these disruptions, hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled — especially to and from Paris and Marseille — with passengers in some cases waiting up to 16 hours.

The airline offered rebooking, refunds, and assistance, though passenger frustration remained high throughout the year.

Timeline of Disruptions: January–October 2025

January — Storm Éowyn in Ireland
On January 24, a red wind alert (up to 70 mph) forced the temporary closure of Ireland West Airport and caused mass delays and cancellations at Dublin Airport. Ryanair urged passengers to check their flight statuses via the airline’s app and website.

February — Strong Winds and Heavy Rain in the UK
On February 21, winds of up to 70 mph caused widespread delays and rescheduled flights from London Stansted, Bristol, and Edinburgh. Rebooking options were offered, but weather conditions limited alternatives.

March — Operational Issues and Targeted Cancellations
Certain routes — such as Stansted–Łódź, Linz–Rome Ciampino, and Prague–Milan — were canceled due to crew shortages and logistical problems stemming from winter weather and Ryanair’s internal restructuring efforts.

April–October — Suspension of Routes from Tallinn
Ryanair temporarily suspended six routes from Tallinn (to Billund, Milan Bergamo, Paphos, Rome, Venice Treviso, and Vienna) due to low demand and high operational costs. Affected customers were offered refunds or alternative flights.

May — Extended Delays
Some passengers faced waits of up to 16 hours due to crew rotation issues and shortages of air traffic controllers and maintenance staff during the peak season, causing network-wide ripple effects.

June — French Air Traffic Controller Strikes
On June 3, ATC strikes in France led to large-scale disruptions across French airspace. Hundreds of Ryanair flights to Paris, Marseille, and Nice were delayed or canceled.

July — Continued ATC Strikes in France
Between July 3–4, around 170 Ryanair flights were canceled, affecting over 30,000 passengers. Ryanair called on the EU to protect overflights during national ATC strikes.

August — Spanish Ground Staff Strikes
From August 15–17, ground handling staff at major airports (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville) went on strike, leading to delays and cancellations. The dispute was resolved by the end of the month.

September — Another Wave of French ATC Strikes
Between September 18–19, around 190 flights were delayed and roughly 35,000 passengers affected. Ryanair again urged EU regulators to find a long-term solution to recurring ATC strikes.

October — Up to 600 Daily Cancellations
From October 7–10, further French ATC strikes threatened to cancel up to 600 flights per day, including many Ryanair services. The airline advised passengers to monitor flight statuses regularly.

What This Means for Ryanair Passengers in 2025

Plan extra time. During weather disruptions or strikes, cascading delays can affect even nearby routes.

Stay updated. Check the Ryanair app and your email/SMS notifications for the latest flight information. Use free rebooking or refund options when available.

Your Rights Under EU Regulation 261/2004

In cases of severe weather or air traffic control strikes, monetary compensation usually does not apply, as these are considered beyond the airline’s control. However, passengers are entitled to:

Meals, communication, and accommodation during long delays

A refund or alternative routing in case of cancellation

For operational cancellations (e.g., crew shortages), financial compensation may apply — passengers can file claims through Ryanair’s official complaint form.

When key hubs such as Paris, Marseille, Madrid, Barcelona, Dublin, or Stansted are at risk, consider flying through nearby airports or with hand luggage only to minimize disruptions.

Context

Despite frequent disruptions in 2025, Ryanair remains one of Europe’s largest low-cost carriers. The airline maintains that it provides rebooking, refunds, and compensation where applicable, though the frequency of disruptions has led to growing passenger dissatisfaction.