The summer holidays in Germany are officially over. Classes started again in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg last Monday. Airhelp, the world's largest organization for air passenger rights, takes stock: In June, July and August, around 106,7 million air travelers in Europe were affected by flight problems, of which 10,5 million were departing from Germany.

In this year's summer months, strikes and staff shortages have once again caused problems at European airports. The situation was particularly tense in Serbia. Around 51 percent of passengers had to contend with delays or cancellations. There were similar problems with departures from Malta, where around 48 percent of all passengers were affected by complications - last year, Malta had the fewest delays and cancellations with a rate of 19 percent. Slovenia comes in third place among the countries with the most flight problems with 45 percent. There were also particularly many difficulties in Greece and Turkey, where around 44 and 42 percent of passengers respectively started late. Germany takes 37th place with 14 percent.

In Finland (20 percent), Norway (20 percent) and Estonia (21 percent) departures were particularly punctual compared to other European countries. There were also comparatively few delays in Lithuania (21 percent) and Kosovo (26 percent).

With a total of around 15,6 million delayed passengers, the largest number of delayed travelers in Europe departed from Great Britain. Turkey and Italy are in second and third place in the European comparison of absolute numbers with 11,9 and 11,6 million passengers respectively. Germany follows France (10,9 million passengers) in fifth place: with 10,5 million delayed passengers, a tenth (ten percent) of all delayed passengers in Europe started from Germany.

Frankfurt-Hahn is affected by the most flight delays or cancellations

The most flight problems and delays in Germany occurred at Frankfurt Hahn Airport, where 46 percent were affected by difficulties. In Frankfurt am Main, passengers also had to struggle with flight problems; 45 percent of travelers took off late or were unable to take their flight. Nuremberg Airport is also in the top three of the negative ranking with 41 percent. The fewest problems within Germany were at Stuttgart Airport (21,6 percent), in Ensheim (22,2 percent) and at Sylt Airport (24,4 percent).

307 million passengers worldwide were affected by flight delays or cancellations

In a global comparison, the four countries with the most flight problems within Europe are also the worst in the world. Only in fifth place is Canada (43 percent) a non-European country in the ranking. This is followed by four other European countries: Switzerland, Italy and France (42 percent each) and Great Britain (41 percent). But Bermuda (41 percent), Jamaica (40 percent) and the Bahamas (39 percent) also have high delay rates.

When it comes to punctuality, non-European airports perform significantly better in the study than European ones. The most punctual passengers departed from Panama (13 percent), South Africa (16,5 percent), Mexico (16,8 percent), Brazil and Qatar (19 percent each). Only then do Finland, Norway and Estonia follow.

“Compared worldwide, European airports had the most flight problems. We therefore particularly encourage affected passengers who departed from European airports to claim their compensation. Affected passengers can check their claim free of charge on our website before contacting the airlines directly or with our help,” explains Julián Navas, legal expert at AirHelp.

Passengers have these rights according to the EC 261 Air Passenger Rights Regulation

Flight cancellations and delays can entitle you to compensation payments of up to 600 euros per passenger. The amount of the compensation payment is calculated based on the length of the flight route. The legal right to compensation depends on the actual duration of the delay at the destination and the reason for the canceled or delayed flight. Affected passengers can enforce their claim for compensation retroactively, up to three years after their flight date.