European Air Passengers Could Secure €2.2 Billion in Compensation This Year

In the first half of 2025, Europe’s airlines demonstrated significant progress, but the landscape was still marred by around 75,000 flights that faced major delays or cancellations. This situation could prompt approximately €2.2 billion in compensation claims from passengers, as reported by Skycop.

Flight disruptions, which account for roughly 1.1% of all departures in Europe (including the EU, EEA, and the UK), were primarily noted under the EU261 regulation. These disruptions may be attributed to various factors, such as bad weather and strikes. Nevertheless, the potential compensation estimate remains substantial at €2.2 billion.

A notable trend emerged this year, with a rise in flight volumes and a decrease in overall disruptions. Approximately 6.9 million flights were completed across Europe, with around 75,000 categorized as disrupted. To compare, the same period in 2024 saw disruptions affecting 110,000 flights out of 6.7 million, representing a disruption rate of 1.62%.

Disruptions were particularly pronounced in Finland and Iceland, both reporting rates of around 3%. The Netherlands recorded a 2.5% disruption rate, while Belgium and Luxembourg each had 2%. In contrast, Spain and Italy fared the best among large European aviation markets, with a low disruption rate of 0.6%. Germany, while experiencing a higher-than-average disruption at 1.2%, showed marked improvement from the previous year’s rate of 2.8%.

Nerijus Zaleckas, an attorney with Skycop, commended the airlines for their enhanced performance, which appears to meet the expectations of travelers and regulatory bodies alike. He attributed these improvements to factors such as reduced supply chain tensions and airlines adapting to increased passenger volumes.

“However, with 75,000 disruptions this year impacting around 10 million travelers, it’s important to note that half of these delays were potentially avoidable. We urge the EU to keep current compensation eligibility criteria in place to encourage airlines to operate more smoothly. Increasing compensation amounts, which have remained unchanged since 2004, should also be considered to reflect inflation,” Zaleckas remarked.

Skycop’s analysis included data from 31 countries, covering all EU member states as well as Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland under the EU261 regulation. The UK was also included, as its UK261 scheme parallels that of Europe.

The €2.2 billion compensation estimate is grounded in conservative calculations, factoring in an average of 120 passengers per departing flight and a minimum payment of €250. It’s important to note that up to half of the disruption cases may not be the airlines’ responsibility due to circumstances like severe weather or strikes. Additionally, about two-thirds of eligible passengers do not file claims.

Under the EU261 regulation, passengers departing from EU airports are entitled to compensation for significant delays, regardless of the airline, as well as for arrivals at EU airports with EU-registered airlines. Should a flight arrive more than three hours late, compensation of €250 to €600 is available, varying with flight distance.

Currently, proposals are being discussed within the EU to adjust compensation amounts to €300–500 and to potentially raise the minimum delay threshold to 4–6 hours. Skycop has publicly opposed these changes, highlighting concerns that such amendments could significantly reduce the number of eligible compensation claims.

What are your thoughts on the current state of airline performance in Europe?