Wizz Air, in the top of the companies with the most delayed flights in the first half of 2023!
The summer season started at the end of March, which brought more frequencies and more routes to the airlines' offers. But this increase in the number of flights comes with a congestion of airports, which are still felt after the COVID pandemic. Inevitably, there are flight delays or cancellations, most of which are due to lack of staff.
Among the countries most affected by delayed or canceled flights in the first half of 2023 are the UK, Italy, France, Germany and Spain. And this is not all! The three summer months will be even busier, and some airports have already announced mid-season strikes. Security staff at London Heathrow have scheduled more than 30 days of strike action amid grievances over pay scales. These strikes will disrupt flights and thousands of passengers will be affected.
Wizz Air, among the least punctual companies
At the same time, according to some statistics, Wizz Air is the company with the highest average of delayed flights at European level. For example, from/to the UK, the average delay is 46 minutes and six seconds, according to AAC. The ranking is completed by RYANAIR, Lufthansa, easyJet.
April, May and most likely June are the worst months in terms of punctuality as the aviation sector has not been able to recruit and train enough staff to cope with the increase in holiday demand.
According the rights of air passengers in the case of canceled or delayed flights, affected passengers can receive compensation of up to 600 euros, depending on the flight distance, but also on the delayed period.
Financial compensations for canceled / delayed flights
If you fly on EU territory or from the EU to other non-EU destinations (regardless of whether the flight is operated by a company inside or outside the EU), you are also entitled to financial compensation of up to €600. These compensations are set according to the distance:
- 250 Euro for distance flights below 1500 km - regional and domestic flights
- 400 euros for flights between 1500-3500 km
- 600 euros for flights over distances over 3500 km (with a minimum delay of 4 hours)
- 300 euros for flights over distances over 3500 km (delayed between 3 and 4 hours)
Passenger rights in air transport, provided by the EU, apply:
- If the flight is performed on EU territory (regardless of whether it is operated by an EU or non-EU company)
- If land at an EU airport coming from outside the Union, and the race is operated by an EU company
- If take off from an EU airport to a country outside the Union, regardless of whether the flight is operated by an EU or non-EU company
- If you have not already received any compensation (compensation, redirection, airline assistance) for flight issues under the relevant legislation of a non-EU country.
But be careful! In the case of strikes by airport staff, airlines are not obliged to offer these financial compensations, but they are tasked with rerouting affected passengers on available flights.