Ryanair blames 'collapse' as it confirms 1,000 flights cancelled

Ryanair confirmed it cancelled more than 1,000 flights in September, partly blaming a “collapse” in Britain’s air traffic control (ATC) system. The airline said the cancellations were linked to two ATC issues within a fortnight, ATC strikes in Belgium, and European disruption from volcanic ash clouds caused by eruptions at Mount Etna. Ryanair also pointed to a recent “connectivity issue” at its Prestwick centre in Scotland, separate from an ATC software fault on September 8. Britain’s National Air Traffic Services boss Martin Rolfe faced calls to resign, while Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander scheduled talks with Nats chairman Sir Warren East.