17/01/24 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 16 January, Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, presented the European Commission with a petition entitled ‘Protect Overflights: Keep EU Skies Open’. The petition, which according to the company has so far received more than 2 million signatures from passengers, demands that the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, take measures to protect overflights during the repeated strikes by air traffic controllers (ATC). “After 3 years of inaction, Ryanair calls again on Ursula von der Leyen to take action to protect the EU single market for air travel”, said Mr O’Leary in a statement. In 2023, there were 67 days of ATC strikes, 13 times more than in 2022, forcing airlines to cancel thousands of European flights. (AD)