EU Flight Delays Cost Billions in Passenger Compensation

Recent data from Skycop.com reveals that nearly 218,000 departing flights in the EU, EEA, and the UK experienced delays of over three hours or were canceled in 2024. Although this represents a slight improvement from the previous year’s 1.8% disrupted departures to 1.5% in 2024, the significant disruptions still translated into a potential €6.5 billion compensation pot under the EU261 regulation.

Under EU261, passengers are eligible for compensation if their departing flight from an EU airport (regardless of the airline’s origin) or an arriving flight with an EU-registered airline is delayed by more than three hours. Depending on the flight distance, compensation can range from €250 to €600 per passenger. In cases of cancellations or additional unexpected costs — such as transport, accommodation, or lost baggage — further compensation may also be claimed.

Based on conservative estimates that assume an average of 120 passengers per disrupted flight and a minimum payout of €250 per passenger, Skycop’s analysis shows that the nearly 218,000 eligible flights in 2024 could have generated around €6.5 billion in compensation. Yet, historically, about two-thirds of this total remains unclaimed as only roughly a third of affected passengers actively seek compensation.

A closer look at the affected regions highlights diverse performance across Europe. Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Germany emerged as the worst-performing markets, with disrupted departure rates of 2.8%, 2.7%, 2.6%, and 2.2% respectively. Among larger aviation markets, the UK (1.8%) and France (1.7%) experienced above-average rates of flight disruptions compared to the overall European average of 1.5%. Conversely, several countries recorded exceptionally low disruption rates — Latvia at 0.5%, Lithuania at 0.6%, and Greece at 0.8%. Additionally, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia (each at 0.9%), and Sweden, Malta, and Spain (each at 1%) fared well. It is noteworthy that Spain, despite being the largest passenger aviation market in Europe by flight numbers, maintained one of the best rates for undisrupted departures.

Seasonal trends also played a role, with the highest rate of disruptions observed in July at 2.4%, and the lowest in September at 1%. The year-on-year improvement, while modest, suggests that European airlines and airports are making gradual progress. Skycop attorney Nerijus Zaleckas attributed these improvements partly to easing pressures in aircraft and parts supply chains, as well as to operators adapting to increased passenger flows. However, even a 1.5% disruption rate still represents billions of euros in potential compensation if more passengers were to claim their rights.

Zaleckas emphasizes that the EU261 mechanism is designed not only to provide monetary restitution to affected travelers but also to compel airlines to improve operational performance. “It’s not just extra money for disrupted travel plans, but also a prompt for airlines to further enhance their processes,” he explained. According to Skycop’s estimates, passengers across Europe could have theoretically claimed €6.5 billion in compensation in 2024, leaving over €4 billion unclaimed if the slow pace of claims persists.

For those who have experienced significant delays or cancellations, passengers are encouraged to take proactive steps. Compensation claims can be submitted directly through airline websites or via specialized compensation management companies like Skycop. These companies typically operate on a success-fee basis, meaning they only charge a commission when compensation is successfully obtained for the passenger.

Skycop’s comprehensive analysis covered 31 countries — including all EU member states, Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland (which are all subject to EU261), as well as the United Kingdom under its UK261 scheme, which closely mirrors EU regulations. By shining a light on these figures, the report underscores both the potential financial relief available to passengers and the need for continued improvements in airline operational performance across Europe.

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