Summer 2025: How to Get
Compensation for Flight Delays

The Numbers Behind the Chaos in European Skies

According to Eurocontrol, the agency that monitors European air traffic, the 2025 projections are far from reassuring. Average delays per flight are expected to range between 2.02 and 2.54 minutes, adding up to over 70,000 minutes of total delays each day. This figure significantly exceeds the target of 0.9 minutes per flight, highlighting a system struggling to cope with the growing demand for air travel.

But what does this mean for passengers? Around 10% of flights are expected to experience significant delays, with average arrival times running 25 to 30 minutes later than scheduled.

The direct consequences include:
• Missed connections for onward flights.
• Long waits at the airport.
• Logistical challenges for travelers with tight schedules or complex itineraries.

Flight delays also impact crews and airport operations, creating a domino effect that worsens the overall disruption. In such a complex situation, knowing your rights and understanding how to claim compensation becomes absolutely essential.

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The Real Reasons Behind Delays: It's Not Just the Weather

Although bad weather can affect flights, it is often used as an excuse to cover up deeper, more structural issues.

Willie Walsh (Director General of IATA) strongly criticized this practice, pointing out that many air traffic service providers have failed to adapt their infrastructure and staffing to meet the growing demand for flights.

The result? An outdated system that can’t keep up with the efficiency of modern airlines, creating a gap that now leads to delays and disruptions.

Among the main structural issues, we find:
• Shortage of air traffic controllers: According to Eurocontrol, there is a shortage of qualified staff ranging from 10% to 20%, with some regions being particularly affected.
• Inefficient air traffic management: Many European countries have not yet implemented modern solutions to optimize flight traffic.
• Failure of the "Single European Sky" project: An initiative aimed at centralizing air traffic management across Europe has stalled due to political and bureaucratic disagreements.

Shortage of Air Traffic Controllers: A Widespread Issue Across Europe

The shortage of air traffic controllers is one of the most serious issues affecting the aviation industry.

The most affected regions include:
• Spain: Tourist routes to the Balearic and Canary Islands are already experiencing significant delays.
• Germany: A key hub for European flights, where delays often build up quickly due to heavy air traffic.
• Greece: Island airports overwhelmed by summer tourism are facing unprecedented pressure.
• Hungary, Croatia, and Serbia: Key countries for air traffic in Eastern Europe, currently facing growing challenges.

Walsh emphasized the urgency of addressing the situation: “They need to put the right resources in the right places.”
However, training new air traffic controllers takes time, and no immediate solution is expected.

Who is Responsible for Paying the Compensation?

According to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers are entitled to compensation in cases of significant delays, cancellations, or denied boarding.

But What Happens When the Delay is Caused by the Airport?

In this case too, the airline is responsible for compensation, as it is the direct contractual party with the passenger.

This means that:
• The airline is required to provide assistance, such as meals, accommodation, and transport.
• The airline must compensate passengers unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as extreme weather, medical emergencies, or strikes by personnel not employed by the airline.

However, many airlines try to avoid paying compensation or make the claims process unnecessarily complicated. In these cases, turning to Refly can make all the difference.

How can I get my compensation?

Here's how to do it in 3 simple steps:

How Refly Makes Your Path to Compensation Easier

Getting compensation might seem impossible, but with Refly, the process becomes simple and stress-free.

Here’s how it works:
• Instant check: Enter your flight details and Refly will check if you're eligible for compensation.
• Complete claim handling: Refly takes care of everything — from the paperwork to communication with the airline.
• No upfront costs: You only pay if compensation is successfully claimed.
• Proven expertise: With deep knowledge of European regulations, Refly ensures a high success rate in claiming compensation.

With Refly, you won’t have to deal with airline bureaucracy or pushback on your own – their expert team handles everything for you, maximizing your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.