Introduction
The disruption experienced across Europe and the U.S. at the height of the summer season cost airlines millions, leaving them no choice but to cancel parts of their summer schedule that were going to be so important for the industry’s recovery.
But the cost to customers was unforgettable too, with 1 in 3 reporting travel disruption in the UK during this period and cancellations and delays double the levels seen in 2019 in some periods across the U.S.
While preventing delays and cancellations may not always be possible, there is no excuse for failing to help passengers make the most of a bad situation.
China and USA had the worst hit regions globally for flight cancellations
Source: CNN Travel
USA airlines canceled or delayed a greater share of their flights compared with 2019
Source: CNBC
The UK government set out a 22-point aviation-action-plan to work with airlines to lessen the impact of disruption.
Source: Travel Weekly
Longer term, the UK Department for Transport is working on ‘Flightpath to the Future’ - a 10-point plan supported by an all-new Aviation Council made up of airlines, airports aviation sector representatives, and government officials. The plan will review lessons learned from the pandemic and work to support recovery, making air travel better for passengers and for our planet.
Between January and May 2022, 88,161 U.S. domestic flights were cancelled. Over 4th July weekend alone, over 10,000 flights were cancelled by U.S carriers.
Solutions like passenger caps and reducing the number of seats sold mean we are seeing signs of industry recovery. At the end of 2022, Heathrow Airport reported "fewer last-minute cancellations, better punctuality and shorter waits for bags." It's about combining the human touch with technology to overcome these challenges.
