One in four European flights were delayed in 2023
Eurocontrol’s recent report states that over a quarter of flights were delayed last year
The Performance Review Report (PRR), says over a quarter of flights did not arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled time.
After a bad performance in 2022, punctuality levels in Europe decreased further in 2023 reaching the worst level on record over the past 20 years, even though traffic was still below 2019 levels.
Airports, airlines and air traffic control (ATC) were struggling in 2022 and 2023 to accommodate the rebounding traffic, primarily due to staff shortages.
Airlines for Europe (A4E) commented on the report, saying it highlights the rigid and inflexible nature of the European air traffic management (ATM) industry, which is adding to the problem and making it difficult to properly tackle ATM related delays. Insufficient capacity plans and inadequate levels of recruitment of controllers will only add to the pressure on Europe’s airspace.
Ourania Georgoutsakou, MD of A4E said: “Airspace is a critical infrastructure for Europe and the latest performance review shows that it is creaking at the seams. Over one in four flights have a delay greater than 15 minutes in 2023 and this is simply unacceptable for airlines and their passengers. While aircraft navigation technology has raced ahead, airlines fly through a potholed regional road full of detours and traffic lights. Europe needs a smooth and efficient highway in the air.”
Recently we reported on the worst US airports for flight delays.