Closed Ukraine airspace may delay flights next summer

EasyJet has warned the closure of Ukrainian airspace could continue to cause flight disruption next summer. Congestion in the skies over Europe is causing delays for airlines, chief commercial officer Sophie Dekkers told MPs. Ukraine's airspace has been closed since February due to Russia's invasion.Airlines also said the tight labour market would continue to make hiring enough staff difficult. Dekkers told the Transport Select Committee this had caused a severe air traffic control challenge, because lots of traffic had to be routed through "a very narrow funnel across Europe". This, she said, meant any flights going through southern Europe were subject to delays and knock-on effects. The low-cost carrier does not think this will change in the near future, so the need to allow for delays would be taken into account when building its schedule for summer 2023. The travel industry is hoping strong appetite for holidays carries on into next year to help the sector recover, despite cost-of-living pressures and other challenges. Demand rebounded quickly after travel restrictions were lifted in March, but many aviation businesses were caught out by staff shortages, including of ground handlers. A number of airlines were forced to trim their schedules, and some airports to impose capacity limits. Looking ahead to next summer, representatives from British Airways and Gatwick Airport told the committee recruitment remained a challenge.<br/>