2022 was a year of convalescence for air transport around the world, particularly in Europe. But at the same time, it was also a year of chaos in the management of this transport. Staff shortages, strikes and unfavourable weather conditions have particularly affected passengers on the European continent.
According to AirHelpan organisation that defends the rights of air passengers, one passenger in three took off late in 2022. June and July reached a peak: more than 40 % passengers have suffered delays. Countries most affected by delays last year: the UK, Germany and Turkey. According to AirHelp data, more than 250 million passengers have suffered as a result of airlines' lack of punctuality at airports.
225 million passengers delayed, including 32 million in the UK
In terms of the number of passengers affected, with more than 32 million people, the UK ranks first for flight delays and cancellations. This represents 35 % of all passengers. Germany comes second with around 26 million passengers delayed, representing just under 35% of all passengers. In Turkey, more than 22 million passengers were affected (32 %), putting the country in third place.
On the other hand, the highest rate of delays and cancellations in 2022 was recorded in the Netherlands. More than one passenger in three (37 %) experienced difficulties with their flight. Greece and the United Kingdom follow closely behind with 36% and 35% respectively.
The opposite, passengers took off most frequently in the Baltic States. Estonia and Lithuania occupy the first two places of the most punctual countries in terms of absolute figures and percentages. In Estonia, around 242,000 passengers experienced delays. This represents just over 21 % of all passengers. In Lithuania, delays affected around 383,000 passengers, or just under 21 %. Luxembourg came third in absolute terms with around 433,000 passengers. Finland ranks favourably with around 22 %.
Wandering passengers at London Heathrow, Frankfurt and Paris CDG
The highest number of delays in Europe occurred in London with 10.2 million passengers. in difficulty at Heathrow. The airport of Frankfurt in second place with 9.8 million passengers delayed followed by Paris CDG with nearly 9.4 million. The highest number of delayed passengers was recorded at Chania in Greece (Crete) with 44% of passengers affected. It was followed by Manchester (43%) and Frankfurt (nearly 42%).
" 2022 has not been a good year for air travellers. The summer in particular showed that airports and airlines were not prepared, in terms of staffing, for the increase in air travel following the pandemic. Whereas before the pandemic, 24 % of passengers were delayed, this figure was almost 31 % in 2022." comments Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp.
" We expect this negative trend to continue this year.. As in many other sectors, the shortage of skilled workers continues to be a serious problem hampering flight operations. This situation is exacerbated by staff strikes, which cause further delays. We would like to encourage all passengers to review their air passenger rights and check their entitlement to compensation for all delays and cancellations in 2022″, adds AirHelp's CEO.
