In 2024, air passengers around the world will face massive problems in aviation. According to a recent study by travel tech company AirHelp, a total of 482 million passengers were affected by flight delays and cancellations by July of this year. The situation is particularly alarming in Germany, which is one of the sad leaders with a delay rate of 30,82 percent. The report not only provides a detailed overview of the global aviation problem, but also specific insights into the challenges travelers face in different countries.

With 14,2 million passengers affected in the first six months of the year, Germany is in sixth place in the international negative ranking. This represents a slight deterioration compared to the previous year, when the proportion was 30,76 percent. The reasons for the high delay rate are varied and range from logistical challenges at airports to technical disruptions and strikes.

Germany's poor performance is underlined by the fact that, with a delay rate of over 30 percent, it lags behind only a few other countries. This high figure reflects not only the current dissatisfaction of travelers, but also the need for comprehensive reforms in the aviation sector.

Global leaders in flight problems

India tops the list of the most problematic countries with a delay rate of 34,85 percent, affecting 25,7 million passengers. This is particularly worrying as the number of air passengers in India is constantly growing and infrastructure often cannot keep up with the rapid growth. Canada follows with a rate of 33,01 percent, and Serbia ranks third among the most affected countries with 30,97 percent. Jamaica and Portugal also have high delay rates, indicating operational challenges and inadequate resources.

In contrast, some countries have comparatively good punctuality rates. South Africa leads the way with a rate of 13,14 percent. El Salvador and Panama follow with 15,75 percent and 16,98 percent respectively. These countries often benefit from more efficient operations and a more stable infrastructure that benefits travelers.

Another important aspect of the study is the number of passengers who are entitled to compensation. Globally, 18,03 percent of delayed passengers are entitled to compensation. Jordan and Lebanon top this list with compensation claims of 45,81 percent and 45,41 percent respectively. This highlights the problems in these regions with the airlines, which are often themselves responsible for the delays.

In Germany, the proportion of passengers entitled to compensation is 8,93 percent. This corresponds to around 1,1 million travelers who have suffered from delays of more than three hours or flight cancellations. The relatively low rate could indicate that many passengers do not assert their claims or are not aware of the procedures for enforcing their rights.

Conclusion and outlook

AirHelp's research highlights the pressing issues facing the global aviation industry and reveals clear differences in the quality of service between different countries. While some regions are making progress in improving punctuality, others continue to struggle with significant challenges. For the German aviation industry, this means that urgent action is needed to improve service quality and keep passengers happy.

The data from the first half of 2024 provides important insight into the current situation and highlights that there is still considerable room for improvement both internationally and in Germany itself. In a rapidly changing global environment, it remains crucial that all stakeholders, from airlines to airports to regulators, work together to address the issues and ensure traveler satisfaction.