**Industry context: Why this matters** Ryanair has relaunched its offensive against French air traffic control, leveraging a newly published French Senate report that is highly critical of the Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne (DSNA), the national ATC provider under the DGAC. The report describes DSNA as understaffed, less productive than the European average, and reliant on obsolete equipment. According to the report, ATC delays in France cost airlines approximately €800 million in 2025, and without reform, the system may be unable to handle demand by 2030, forcing flight cancellations. Ryanair projects that by 2035, these delays could cost airlines up to €1.7 billion annually. **MyATPS angle: Concrete impact for ATPL/ATC students** For ATPL students, this is a real-world case study in how ATC performance directly affects airline operations, route planning, and cost management. Understanding the DSNA's challenges—staff shortages, long training times (up to 3 years for a full rating), and slow technical upgrades—is crucial for future pilots who will navigate French airspace daily. For ATC trainees, the report highlights the urgency of modernisation and the need for efficient recruitment and training pipelines. The debate over strikes and overflight protections also illustrates the delicate balance between national labour rights and European airspace fluidity. **Analysis: The Ryanair playbook** Ryanair's campaign is not new—the airline has long criticised French ATC for delays and strikes. However, the Senate report gives it fresh ammunition. By publishing its record June traffic (21.2 million passengers, up 7% year-on-year), Ryanair underscores its exposure to disruptions in French airspace, which is central to European routes. The airline demands increased recruitment of controllers until 2030, shorter training durations, and better reinvestment of navigation fees into staffing and systems rather than state budget constraints. This aligns with broader European calls for ATC reform, such as the Single European Sky initiative, which has stalled for years. **What this means for students** For ATPL candidates, this news reinforces the importance of understanding ATC constraints when planning flights—especially in summer when French strikes peak. For ATC students, it underscores the need for efficient training and the potential for career opportunities if DSNA accelerates recruitment. The report's warning that France could become a bottleneck by 2030 is a stark reminder that aviation infrastructure must keep pace with traffic growth.