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3d ago

European Flight Delays Surge as Cancellations Dip, Driving Legal Push on Baggage Fees

Consumer groups have sued budget carriers over hand-luggage fees in response to surging summer delays at Europe’s busiest airports.

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Overview

  • Flightright data show cancellations in Europe fell slightly in the first half of 2025 while delays climbed sharply, topping out at around 45 percent at Lisbon Airport.
  • Germany accounted for 11.1 million of the 490 million passengers affected worldwide in H1 2025, with Munich Airport posting a 1.29 percent cancellation rate and Frankfurt improving to 0.55 percent.
  • Delay rates at major German hubs jumped from about 12–15 percent in Q1 to 20–30 percent during the summer peak, with Berlin-Brandenburg exceeding 30 percent.
  • Industry experts cite internal airline challenges, aircraft delivery bottlenecks at Boeing and Airbus, and record summer passenger volumes as key drivers of the delay surge.
  • The Bundesverband der Verbraucherzentralen and BEUC have filed lawsuits against carriers including easyJet and Wizz Air while pressing EU transport ministers to adopt a uniform, free carry-on policy.