Airline Passenger Lawsuits Hit Record High in Germany

German courts report 131,000 cases in 2024 as passengers seek compensation for flight delays and cancellations.

The number of lawsuits filed against airlines in Germany reached 131,000 in 2024, marking a record high and a 6,000-case increase from the previous year.
Courts at major airport locations, including Cologne, Frankfurt, and Berlin, are heavily burdened, with Cologne alone handling over 41,000 cases.
Passengers are primarily seeking compensation under EU regulations, which mandate payments of €250-€600 for delays exceeding three hours or canceled flights under certain conditions.
Legal-tech portals, such as AirHelp and Flightright, are facilitating claims but are also contributing to the surge in court cases due to their widespread use.
Efforts to manage the caseload include the deployment of AI tools in some courts to streamline case processing, though comprehensive solutions remain under development.