The half-yearly review of global air traffic in 2025 reveals a worrying trend: Almost one in four passengers was affected by flight problems in the first six months of the year. According to an analysis by air passenger rights expert AirHelp, around 490,3 million passengers worldwide were affected by delays or cancellations.
In Europe, the number of disrupted travelers reached 80,4 million. Germany ranks 26th in this global ranking, with the summer months in particular experiencing a significant increase in flight disruptions. The analysis, which examined punctuality and cancellation rates at airports in Europe and worldwide in the first six months of 2025, underscores the continued relevance of air passenger rights and the challenges facing the aviation industry.
Global disruptions: Portugal and Greece top the negative ranking
The AirHelp study, which summarizes data from the first six months of 2025, shows significant differences in air traffic punctuality worldwide. Passengers departing from airports in Portugal Here were 33,4 percent (5,3 million passengers) of all passengers were affected by flight problems, placing the southern European country first in this negative ranking. Another popular European travel destination, Greece, ranks second with a disruption rate of 31,1 percent (4,4 million passengers).
Canada, South Korea and India follow in the next places, which shows that flight problems are a global phenomenon that extends far beyond the borders of Europe. Canada recorded a rate of 29,8 percent (11,3 million passengers) and is therefore in third place. South Korea and India follow with 29,3 percent (8,1 million passengers) or 28,5 percent (22,8 million passengers) in fourth and fifth place. These high figures highlight the massive challenges facing airlines and airport operators in these regions.
Germany appears in this global comparison Place 26 . 22,7 percent of passengers (11,1 million passengers)who travelled to or from Germany were affected by flight problems. The trend is particularly striking: While the disruptions were moderate at the beginning of the year, they increased continuously from February onwards and reached 30,7 percent In terms of flight cancellations in the narrower sense, Germany ranks with a rate of 1,8 percent in 41st place, which can be considered relatively stable by international comparison, even if this represents a considerable burden for the affected passengers.
Panama leads the way in punctuality
In contrast to the countries with high disruption rates, there are also positive examples that show that punctual and smooth air traffic is possible. The list of the most punctual countries is headed by PanamaHere, passengers were largely spared from problems, with a disruption rate of only 12 percent (624.900 passengers) in the first half of 2025.
Non-personal or anonymized information remains protected by tax secrecy. Disclosure to third parties is only allowed if no identification is possible and both states confirm that no harm to tax administration will occur. Ecuador and El Salvador perform well in this regard. In Ecuador, the rate was 12,7 percent (367.700 passengers), and El Salvador follows with also 12,7 percent (184.300 travelers)Close behind are Guatemala and South Africa, where air traffic was also relatively punctual. Guatemala were 13,4 percent of passengers affected by disruptions, in South Africa 14 percentThese countries demonstrate that high punctuality in air traffic can be achieved.
The reasons for the high punctuality in these countries are varied. They may include a less dense airspace structure, a lower number of flight movements compared to the major hubs, and efficient ground operations.
Intra-European air traffic: A closer look at the region
If we look exclusively at flights within Europe, the picture of disruptions becomes more severe. Portugal and Greece took the first two places of the negative ranking. In Portugal, almost one in three passengers was affected by flight problems (32,5 percent), in Greece the rate was 31,3 percentThis highlights that the problems exist not only with long-haul flights, but also with the handling of intra-continental air traffic.
The way food is Switzerland is among the countries with high disruption potential. The delay and cancellation rate here was 26,2 percent, what around 2,5 million passengers who were unable to travel as planned. Switzerland, known for its precision, appears to be facing similar challenges in air transport as its European neighbors.
The following places follow Malta and the Netherlands with 25,6 percent or 24,9 percentGermany performs best in intra-European flights with a rate of 20,4 percent slightly better than in the global comparison and lands on Place 21This suggests that the main problems facing German air traffic lie not only in national operations, but also in its connections to international hubs and global air traffic.
Compensation claims: Millions of passengers are entitled to compensation
AirHelp's analysis also addresses the compensation claims to which passengers are entitled under EU Regulation 261/2004. Worldwide, in the first half of 2025 more than 10,5 million people Right to compensation. This right exists if a delay of more than three hours or a flight cancellation is due to the airline's own fault.
A country in the Middle East leads the negative ranking: In Saudi Arabia they 31,1 percent (1,6 million passengers) of passengers affected by disruptions are entitled to compensation. This indicates a high rate of internal problems at the airlines there. Far behind is Brazil with a quota of 14 percent, which corresponds to 1,2 million travelers entitled to compensation. Finland A large proportion of delays and cancellations are attributable to the airlines; the rate here is 12,3 percent (164.900 passengers).
In Germany in the first half of the year 449.300 passengers Right to compensation, which 4,1 percent of all passengers affected by flight problems. This figure, which is relatively low compared to other countries, could indicate that a large proportion of flight problems in Germany are due to force majeure or external factors, such as air traffic control staff shortages, strikes, or weather events, for which the airlines cannot be held directly liable.
Julian Navas, passenger rights expert at AirHelp, puts the figures into context: "The half-yearly report shows that delays and cancellations remain a global problem. In the first half of 2025, almost one in four passengers was affected by delays or flight cancellations. This continues to be relevant for millions of travelers in Germany. June was particularly stressful: In that month, disruption rates reached their highest levels ever at 32,8 percent worldwide and 29,2 percent in Europe."
Background and outlook: The fight for stability in air traffic
The reasons for the high number of flight disruptions are diverse and complex. Often, a combination of high passenger volumes, staff shortages at airlines, airports, and air traffic control, as well as the increasing density of European airspace, play a role. Technical problems, weather events, and strikes can also lead to significant delays and cancellations. The aviation industry is grappling with these challenges and is striving to optimize operations.
A further increase in passenger traffic is expected in the second half of the year, which traditionally encompasses the peak travel season. This could further exacerbate existing problems and potentially keep disruption rates at a high level. It is therefore crucial for passengers to be informed about their rights in the event of flight problems and to assert them if necessary. Organizations like AirHelp provide important educational work and support those affected in asserting their claims.
The analysis highlights the need for the aviation industry to invest in more robust infrastructure, sufficient staffing, and more efficient processes to boost passenger confidence and ensure smoother air travel.