European airlines may face prolonged disruptions due to Russian drones.

The Impact of War on Air Travel in Europe

The CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, expressed on September 11, 2025, that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will continue to affect the operations of European airlines for several more years. His comments came after an incident in Poland where suspicious Russian drones were shot down.

Information provided by Reuters. O’Leary was speaking at the company’s annual meeting, where he also noted that Ryanair, the largest airline in Europe, “may exit the Israeli market even after the end of the war in Gaza due to a conflict over airport fees.”

Ryanair’s Operational Challenges

It is reported that on Wednesday, some Polish airports were temporarily closed due to drones, leading to delays across Europe. Only 60% of Ryanair flights arrived on time that day, significantly below the usual rate of 90%.

O’Leary emphasizes that the issues with air travel are not due to safety but regular scheduling disruptions. The airline will face new challenges related to airspace restrictions.

Airspace and Safety

Increased NATO activity in southern and eastern Poland has become another issue for commercial flights, noted the CEO. These changes affect the availability of airspace, creating additional obstacles for airlines.

Response to the Incident

At the Ryanair board meeting, the incident was also discussed — the first case where a NATO member opened fire in the context of military actions. O’Leary believes that security measures, including the rapid closure of airspace, will be implemented promptly.

Heightened Security in Poland

On the night of September 10, the Ukrainian Air Force reported a possible intrusion of Russian drones into Polish airspace, prompting the closure of several airports. Official notices to aviators confirmed the closure due to “unplanned military activity.”

Actions of the Air Force

The Polish army launched not only its fighters but also aircraft from other allied countries, while ground air defense forces were put on alert to counter the threat.

Aircraft on Guard

Data from the Flightradar service showed the presence of an airborne early warning aircraft over the border with Ukraine, also indicating a serious threat from Russian drones.

These moments highlighted the need for careful monitoring of the situation, as the increase in unrest directly affects the safety of civilian flights in Europe.