Europe and the United States could face summer air travel delays caused by weather, airspace closures, and staff shortages. Last summer's air traffic issues, such as near collisions in the US, may recur this year. Europe saw 48% more flight delays in 2023 due to adverse weather, posing challenges for summer 2024.
Summer has arrived with millions of holidaymakers. This season can strain airline operations and is a challenging time for air traffic controllers. According to a Financial Times article, only 56% of European flights departed on time in the first week of July. Delays can have knock-on effects, leading to more cancellations.
European airlines are impacted by bad weather, air traffic control restrictions, and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine blocking large areas of airspace. Delays and closed airspace force more planes into already congested skies. According to CNBC, New York City and Florida are most at risk based on air traffic patterns and airport density.