Last year it became uncomfortable for some passengers at European airports: the ongoing staff shortage, strikes as well as snow and black ice will continue to have a massive impact on air traffic in 2023. Overall, 31,3 percent of passengers across Europe started late or not at all. The delay and cancellation rate peaked at 2023 percent in July 39,1.

This is the result of AirHelp, an organization for air passenger rights, in an analysis of flight data from 2023. Germany ranks fourth in Europe among the countries with the most flight problems, but has improved somewhat in this year's comparison.

45,5 million travelers were affected by flight problems in the UK

Anyone who traveled from Great Britain last year had to show strong nerves. As in 2022, the United Kingdom takes first place in the research. Around 45,5 million passengers (34,6 percent) were affected by flight delays and cancellations. Turkey is in second place with a higher rate but far fewer delayed passengers: here the number was almost 33 million passengers (38,1 percent). In France, almost 32,3 million travelers were affected by disruptions (35,4 percent), putting the country in third place when looking at absolute numbers.

In terms of the highest rate, Malta leads the race of the least punctual countries: a whopping 39,3 percent of travelers here had difficulties with their departures. But not only delays, but also flight cancellations were not an isolated case here - 1,17 percent of travelers were unable to take their flight in 2023. The island state in the Mediterranean is ahead of Serbia (38,1 percent) and Turkey (38,1 percent) as well as Portugal (36,4 percent) in the ranking.

Lithuania had the fewest flight problems

In 2023, holidaymakers departed from Lithuania most punctually: 19,9 percent of passengers were affected by delays or cancellations. In comparison, the country in the south of the Baltics performs best. Norway and Estonia follow in second and third place with a rate of 20,7 and 21,8 percent, respectively. In terms of absolute numbers, however, Slovenia made it onto the winner's podium. A total of 203.500 passengers were exposed to flight problems - the lowest number in the study. This is followed by Kosovo with 287.690 and Estonia with 308.320 delayed and canceled passengers in second and third place.

Germany is improving compared to the previous year

In 2022, around 28 million travelers in Germany were affected by flight disruptions - which corresponded to almost 36 percent of all passengers. Things looked a little better in 2023: The cancellation and delay rate in the Federal Republic fell by 2,8 percent to 33,2 percent, but 32 million more passengers were affected than in the previous year. This means that Germany has slipped from second place among the countries with the most flight problems to fourth place. 

Passengers in Frankfurt am Main were hit hardest: 40,2 percent (12,3 million passengers) took off late or not at all. In the Germany ranking, Frankfurt-Hahn and Nuremberg airports follow with 39,5 and 33,6 percent respectively. In 2023, passengers took off most punctually from Sylt: Here, 18,5 percent of passengers were faced with flight problems.

“Disruptions at European airports have increased compared to last year. The summer also revealed that the airports and airlines are not staffed to cope with the rush of passengers. Overall, not only has the number of passengers increased, but also the delay and cancellation rates. In 2022 this averaged 30,6 percent; last year it was 31,3 percent. For comparison: Before the pandemic, less than 24 percent of passengers started late.

Airports and airlines still have a long way to go to reach pre-pandemic levels. Until the issues are resolved, we would like to encourage all passengers to understand their air passenger rights and consider their entitlement to compensation for all delays and cancellations in 2023,” comments Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp.

Flight problems: These are the rights that passengers have

The amount of the compensation payment is calculated from the length of the flight route. The rightful claim for compensation depends on the actual length of the delay at the destination and the reason for the canceled or delayed flight. Affected passengers can assert their claim for compensation retrospectively, up to three years after their flight date.

Extraordinary circumstances such as storms or medical emergencies can mean that the operating airline is exempt from the obligation to compensate. Planned and spontaneous airline strikes are not included.