Punctuality During Holy Week: 20% of Passengers in Spain Experienced Delays

During the Easter holiday period, which took place from April 13 to April 21, over 2.6 million passengers flew from airports in Spain. However, this massive influx of travelers was accompanied by a series of punctuality issues, affecting over 500,000 people who experienced delays or cancellations on their flights. A recent report from AirHelp reveals that approximately 80.6% of the trips were completed as scheduled, meaning that the remaining 19.4% faced disruptions.

Although the punctuality rate has remained relatively stable compared to the previous year, the number of passengers eligible for compensation has increased. This year, more than 44,000 travelers could claim compensation due to delays exceeding three hours, cancellations, or missed connections, surpassing the 42,000 passengers entitled to compensation from last year. Notably, Spain has seen a 23.08% decrease in the total number of passengers compared to 2024, when over 3.25 million traveled during the same holiday.

Among the airports that stood out for their punctuality were Reus and Costa Brava in Catalonia, as well as Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, which recorded punctuality rates of 89.9%, 85.6%, and 87.3% respectively. Conversely, the airports of Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, and Málaga were the most affected by delays, with punctuality rates barely exceeding 75%.

In terms of passenger rights, the CE261 regulation establishes that in the event of flight cancellation or denied boarding, airlines are required to offer an alternative flight or a refund of the ticket. Additionally, they must cover the extra expenses arising from the flight disruption, including meals or accommodation.

For delays or cancellations, passengers are entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros, provided certain conditions are met, which may vary depending on the reason for the disruption, such as adverse weather conditions or medical emergencies. To help travelers understand their rights, AirHelp has published a guide available for download on their website.