EM and Olympic Games: Flight problems in Germany - what travelers should know

EM and Olympic Games: Flight problems in Germany - what travelers should know

FLIGHTRIGHT: A flood of flight cancellations during the EM

The European Football Championship (EM) not only has exciting games and passionate fans, but also unusually many flight cancellations, as a comprehensive examination of Flightright, Europe's leading consumer portal for passenger rights, shows. The results of this analysis raise interesting questions and provide valuable insights into the effects of the major event on air traffic. These findings are also important for travelers who make their way to the Olympic Games in Paris.

Germany had the second highest cancellation rate from all European countries with the most departures. For comparison: In the four weeks before the European Championship, the cancellation rate was only 1.74 percent and only 1.56 percent in the same period of the previous year - a significant increase of almost 100 percent. The delays, on the other hand, only rose minimally, which indicates that the cancellations in particular were a significant problem.

The head of the legal department and passenger law expert at Flightright, Oskar de Felice, emphasizes: "The European Championship and the increased air volume were a significant burden on the German flight industry.

The Olympic Games and their expected effects

While the Olympic Games in Paris are in full swing, travelers are faced with similar challenges. Especially since the games also fall into the summer vacation and thus into the main travel time. Oskar de Felice therefore warns: "In principle, Olympic travelers should adjust to an increased risk of cancellations and delays."

Flightright points out that the airports Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (Ory) are considered to be somewhat reliable in terms of flight cancellations in European comparison, but Charles de Gaulle in the first half of 2024 has a delay rate of 23.68%. The first Olympic weekend has already shown effect after evaluating Flightright: In Paris Charles de Gaulle, 31.86% of the flights are unpunctual, in Paris Orly at least 18.63%.

In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, de Felice recommends a well -thought -out travel schedule with a sufficient buffer time before departure: "Even with a great planning like Olympia, the entire infrastructure is at the limit.

Important passenger rights with problems occurring

It is important to know that passengers can receive compensation between 250 and 600 euros under EU law if they arrive at their destination more than three hours later or their flight has been deleted less than 14 days before departure. Regardless of the ticket price, these claims can be claimed for three years, even with 1 euro flights. In many cases, the compensation payment exceeds the original ticket costs. The assertion of the claims has no disadvantages for the passengers.