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EU Airlines Facing Billions in Compensation Due to 218,000 Flight Disruptions

By:

Pilotcenter.net

Pilotcenter.net News reports that in 2024, nearly 218,000 departing flights in the European Union, European Economic Area, and the United Kingdom were delayed by over three hours or canceled, amounting to 1.5% of all departures. This figure, although a slight improvement from the previous year, signifies potential compensation of over 6 billion euros for affected passengers, with a significant portion of it often left unclaimed.

The disruptions in flight schedules, resulting in delays and cancellations, indicate a substantial sum of 6.5 billion euros in compensation under the EU261 scheme last year. While factors like severe weather and strikes contributed to some of these issues, the calculated estimate is based on conservative assumptions of 120 passengers per flight and a minimum payout of 250 euros.

Among the European aviation markets, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Germany experienced the highest rates of disrupted departures in 2024. Conversely, Latvia, Lithuania, Greece, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Malta, and Spain showcased the lowest proportions of disrupted flights. Notably, Spain, despite having the largest passenger aviation market in Europe, managed to maintain one of the best departure rates without disruptions.

The trend analysis revealed that European airlines and airports have demonstrated improved performance compared to the previous year, with a decrease in significantly delayed or canceled flights. The highest likelihood of encountering flight disruptions was in July, while the lowest was in September of last year.

Skycop attorney Nerijus Zaleckas highlighted the importance of passengers asserting their rights to claim compensation, emphasizing that only about a third of affected travelers actually reach out to airlines or compensation management companies for reimbursement. The EU261 mechanism aims to provide compensation for inconveniences while incentivizing airlines to enhance their performance standards.

Passengers, under the EU261 regulation, are entitled to compensation for significant flight delays and cancellations, along with unexpected costs and scenarios like lost baggage. By directly contacting airlines or reputable compensation management firms like Skycop, affected travelers can swiftly determine their eligibility and secure rightful payouts.

The study, conducted across 31 countries including EU member states, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and the UK, focused on flights eligible for compensation due to delays exceeding three hours or cancellations. With billions of euros potentially available for affected passengers, the call to action remains for travelers to exercise their rights and claim the compensation they deserve.

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