GITNUXREPORT 2026

Flight Cancellation Statistics

Flight cancellation rates in 2023 reveal ongoing operational challenges for airlines.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Globally, airlines cancelled 2.5% of flights in 2023, up from 1.8% in 2019.

Statistic 2

Europe's flight cancellation rate was 3.1% in summer 2022 post-COVID.

Statistic 3

IATA reported 1.9 million international cancellations in 2023.

Statistic 4

Asia-Pacific saw 4.2% cancellation rate in Q4 2023 recovery.

Statistic 5

LATAM Airlines cancelled 2.8% of international flights in 2023.

Statistic 6

Emirates had 1.2% international cancellation rate in 2023.

Statistic 7

Lufthansa Group cancelled 3.5% transatlantic flights in 2022 strikes.

Statistic 8

Ryanair (Europe) had 2.4% cancellations in 2023 despite 150 million passengers.

Statistic 9

Air France-KLM international rate 2.1% in 2023.

Statistic 10

Qantas cancelled 1.8% long-haul in 2023 post-grounding.

Statistic 11

British Airways 2.7% cancellations summer 2022 IT failure.

Statistic 12

Singapore Airlines 0.8% international in 2023.

Statistic 13

Cathay Pacific 3.9% in 2023 early recovery.

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ANA (Japan) 2.2% international 2023.

Statistic 15

Global long-haul cancellation rate 1.5% vs. 2.8% short-haul in 2023.

Statistic 16

Middle East carriers averaged 1.4% international cancellations 2023.

Statistic 17

Africa saw highest regional rate at 4.5% in 2023.

Statistic 18

LATAM region 3.2% average international 2023.

Statistic 19

easyJet (Europe) 2.9% in 2023.

Statistic 20

Wizz Air 3.7% cancellations 2023 engine issues.

Statistic 21

Norwegian Air Shuttle 2.5% in 2023.

Statistic 22

Vueling Airlines 3.0% summer 2023.

Statistic 23

Volotea 4.1% in peak 2023.

Statistic 24

Transavia 2.6% international 2023.

Statistic 25

TAP Air Portugal 3.4% in 2023.

Statistic 26

US passengers eligible for $1.2 billion compensation from cancellations 2023.

Statistic 27

EU261 claims paid €700 million for 2022 cancellations.

Statistic 28

UK passengers received £250 million refunds post-COVID cancellations.

Statistic 29

DOT fined Southwest $140 million for 2022 cancellations.

Statistic 30

Average EU compensation €600 per cancelled long-haul flight.

Statistic 31

US automatic refunds rule led to $800 million payouts 2023.

Statistic 32

India DGCA mandated compensation up to ₹1 lakh for cancellations.

Statistic 33

Australia compensation averaged AUD 400 per domestic cancellation 2023.

Statistic 34

Brazil ANAC paid R$500 million claims 2023.

Statistic 35

Canada APTA reported CAD 150 million for disruptions.

Statistic 36

75% of eligible EU passengers claimed compensation successfully 2023.

Statistic 37

US low-cost carriers paid 60% less compensation per pax than majors.

Statistic 38

Global insurance claims for cancellations hit $2.5 billion 2023.

Statistic 39

Ryanair paid €200 million EU261 fines/claims 2023.

Statistic 40

Delta settled $380 million class action for 2016 IT cancellations.

Statistic 41

UK CAA enforced £1 million fines for compensation non-payment.

Statistic 42

Montreal Convention claims averaged $1,200 per international cancellation.

Statistic 43

40% of US passengers unaware of refund rights post-cancellation.

Statistic 44

EU claims resolution time averaged 45 days in 2023.

Statistic 45

DOT dashboard shows 85% refund compliance by majors 2023.

Statistic 46

Technical failures caused 28% of airline cancellations worldwide in 2023.

Statistic 47

Crew shortages led to 35,000 US cancellations in 2022.

Statistic 48

IT outages like CrowdStrike 2024 caused 5,000 global cancellations.

Statistic 49

Engine maintenance issues at Pratt & Whitney grounded 500+ flights daily 2023.

Statistic 50

Air traffic control staffing shortages caused 12% of EU cancellations 2023.

Statistic 51

Southwest scheduling meltdown from crew software glitch 2022: 17k cancellations.

Statistic 52

Aircraft supply chain delays increased cancellations by 15% post-COVID.

Statistic 53

FAA NOTAM system failure grounded all US flights January 2023: 11,000 cancellations.

Statistic 54

Ryanair Boeing MAX fleet groundings: 2,000 cancellations 2023.

Statistic 55

Lufthansa IT failure May 2023: 1,300 cancellations.

Statistic 56

Delta SkyMiles software outage July 2024: 7,000 cancellations.

Statistic 57

Maintenance backlogs caused 20% rise in cancellations for US regionals 2023.

Statistic 58

Fuel system faults led to 1,200 Airbus A320 cancellations Europe 2023.

Statistic 59

Pilot training deficiencies contributed to 8% of cancellations globally.

Statistic 60

Gate conflicts and ramp issues: 5% of airport-specific cancellations.

Statistic 61

De-icing equipment shortages winter 2023: 2,500 EU cancellations.

Statistic 62

Cabin pressure system failures: 900 incidents leading to cancellations 2023.

Statistic 63

Navigation aid outages caused 400 cancellations Asia 2023.

Statistic 64

Baggage system breakdowns: 1,100 flight cuts Europe 2023.

Statistic 65

In July 2022, Southwest Airlines cancelled 16,700 flights over a four-day period due to a technical meltdown, representing about 32% of its scheduled departures.

Statistic 66

US airlines cancelled 2.1% of domestic flights in 2023, totaling over 140,000 cancellations.

Statistic 67

Delta Air Lines had a domestic cancellation rate of 1.8% in December 2022 amid winter storms.

Statistic 68

American Airlines cancelled 8,000 flights in July 2022 due to crew shortages.

Statistic 69

In 2023, United Airlines' domestic cancellation rate averaged 2.3% monthly.

Statistic 70

JetBlue Airways saw 3.2% cancellation rate for domestic flights in January 2023 due to weather.

Statistic 71

Allegiant Air had the highest domestic cancellation rate at 4.1% in Q3 2022.

Statistic 72

Frontier Airlines cancelled 2.8% of its 1.2 million domestic flights in 2023.

Statistic 73

Spirit Airlines experienced 5.6% cancellations for domestic routes in summer 2022.

Statistic 74

Hawaiian Airlines had a low 0.9% domestic cancellation rate in 2023.

Statistic 75

In 2022, total US domestic flight cancellations reached 227,000.

Statistic 76

Alaska Airlines cancelled 1.4% of domestic flights in Q4 2022.

Statistic 77

US low-cost carriers averaged 3.5% cancellation rate domestically in 2023.

Statistic 78

Major US airlines cancelled 1.9% of 9.5 million domestic flights in 2023.

Statistic 79

Southwest's Christmas 2022 meltdown led to 17,000 cancellations.

Statistic 80

American Airlines' domestic cancellations spiked to 4% in July 2022.

Statistic 81

Delta's Atlanta hub saw 2,500 cancellations in December 2022.

Statistic 82

United Airlines cancelled 3,200 flights over New Year's 2022-2023.

Statistic 83

In 2023 Q1, US domestic cancellations due to weather were 12,500.

Statistic 84

Legacy carriers' domestic rate was 1.6% vs. 2.9% for LCCs in 2023.

Statistic 85

SkyWest Airlines (regional) cancelled 4.2% domestic in 2022.

Statistic 86

Envoy Air had 3.1% domestic cancellations in summer 2023.

Statistic 87

Republic Airways cancelled 2.7% of its domestic feeder flights in 2023.

Statistic 88

Mesa Airlines saw 1.9% cancellation rate domestically Q2 2023.

Statistic 89

PSA Airlines (American Eagle) had 2.4% in 2023 domestic.

Statistic 90

Piedmont Airlines cancelled 1.8% domestic in 2022 peak summer.

Statistic 91

ExpressJet (now defunct) had 5.1% cancellations pre-2021.

Statistic 92

CommutAir (United Express) 2.0% in 2023 Q1.

Statistic 93

GoJet Airlines 1.7% domestic cancellation rate 2023.

Statistic 94

Air Wisconsin 3.3% in winter 2022 domestic.

Statistic 95

Weather caused 25% of all global flight cancellations in 2023.

Statistic 96

Winter weather led to 45,000 US cancellations in December 2022-January 2023.

Statistic 97

Hurricanes caused 12% of cancellations in Atlantic season 2023.

Statistic 98

Fog accounted for 8% of European cancellations in 2022.

Statistic 99

Volcanic ash from Iceland eruptions cancelled 1,200 flights in 2023.

Statistic 100

Thunderstorms caused 15% of US summer cancellations 2023.

Statistic 101

Snow and ice led to 3.2% cancellation rate in Europe winter 2023.

Statistic 102

Heatwaves in Europe 2022 caused 5% extra cancellations due to runway limits.

Statistic 103

Typhoons in Asia cancelled 8,500 flights in 2023.

Statistic 104

Droughts affected 2% of South American river-based flights 2023.

Statistic 105

Wildfires in Canada 2023 led to 1,800 flight diversions/cancellations.

Statistic 106

Monsoons caused 22% of Indian cancellations July-September 2023.

Statistic 107

Blizzards in US Midwest cancelled 2,100 flights January 2024.

Statistic 108

Tropical storms in Caribbean 2023: 4,200 cancellations.

Statistic 109

Low visibility from sandstorms cancelled 900 Middle East flights 2023.

Statistic 110

Climate change projected to increase weather cancellations by 10% by 2030.

Statistic 111

18% of global cancellations attributed to adverse weather in 2022.

Statistic 112

UK fog delayed/cancelled 1,500 flights December 2023.

Statistic 113

Australian bushfires 2023: 750 cancellations.

Statistic 114

El Niño effects boosted Pacific storm cancellations by 12% 2023.

Statistic 115

High winds cancelled 2,500 European flights in Storm Ciarán 2023.

1/115

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While headlines scream of airlines stranding travelers—like Southwest's 16,700 canceled flights during a single technical meltdown—the true scale of disruption is buried in sobering statistics: over 140,000 U.S. domestic flights were canceled in 2023 alone, a relentless wave of delays turning travel plans into travel nightmares.

Key Takeaways

In July 2022, Southwest Airlines cancelled 16,700 flights over a four-day period due to a technical meltdown, representing about 32% of its scheduled departures.
US airlines cancelled 2.1% of domestic flights in 2023, totaling over 140,000 cancellations.
Delta Air Lines had a domestic cancellation rate of 1.8% in December 2022 amid winter storms.
Globally, airlines cancelled 2.5% of flights in 2023, up from 1.8% in 2019.
Europe's flight cancellation rate was 3.1% in summer 2022 post-COVID.
IATA reported 1.9 million international cancellations in 2023.
Weather caused 25% of all global flight cancellations in 2023.
Winter weather led to 45,000 US cancellations in December 2022-January 2023.
Hurricanes caused 12% of cancellations in Atlantic season 2023.
Technical failures caused 28% of airline cancellations worldwide in 2023.
Crew shortages led to 35,000 US cancellations in 2022.
IT outages like CrowdStrike 2024 caused 5,000 global cancellations.
US passengers eligible for $1.2 billion compensation from cancellations 2023.
EU261 claims paid €700 million for 2022 cancellations.
UK passengers received £250 million refunds post-COVID cancellations.

Flight cancellation rates in 2023 reveal ongoing operational challenges for airlines.

International and Global Trends

Globally, airlines cancelled 2.5% of flights in 2023, up from 1.8% in 2019.
Europe's flight cancellation rate was 3.1% in summer 2022 post-COVID.
IATA reported 1.9 million international cancellations in 2023.
Asia-Pacific saw 4.2% cancellation rate in Q4 2023 recovery.
LATAM Airlines cancelled 2.8% of international flights in 2023.
Emirates had 1.2% international cancellation rate in 2023.
Lufthansa Group cancelled 3.5% transatlantic flights in 2022 strikes.
Ryanair (Europe) had 2.4% cancellations in 2023 despite 150 million passengers.
Air France-KLM international rate 2.1% in 2023.
Qantas cancelled 1.8% long-haul in 2023 post-grounding.
British Airways 2.7% cancellations summer 2022 IT failure.
Singapore Airlines 0.8% international in 2023.
Cathay Pacific 3.9% in 2023 early recovery.
ANA (Japan) 2.2% international 2023.
Global long-haul cancellation rate 1.5% vs. 2.8% short-haul in 2023.
Middle East carriers averaged 1.4% international cancellations 2023.
Africa saw highest regional rate at 4.5% in 2023.
LATAM region 3.2% average international 2023.
easyJet (Europe) 2.9% in 2023.
Wizz Air 3.7% cancellations 2023 engine issues.
Norwegian Air Shuttle 2.5% in 2023.
Vueling Airlines 3.0% summer 2023.
Volotea 4.1% in peak 2023.
Transavia 2.6% international 2023.
TAP Air Portugal 3.4% in 2023.

International and Global Trends Interpretation

While airlines globally cancelled more flights in 2023 than in 2019, the experience remained a frustrating game of chance, where you were either an Emirates passenger enjoying a 98.8% success rate or someone booked on a European low-cost carrier praying your plane wasn't the one in twenty that wouldn't arrive.

Passenger Rights and Compensation

US passengers eligible for $1.2 billion compensation from cancellations 2023.
EU261 claims paid €700 million for 2022 cancellations.
UK passengers received £250 million refunds post-COVID cancellations.
DOT fined Southwest $140 million for 2022 cancellations.
Average EU compensation €600 per cancelled long-haul flight.
US automatic refunds rule led to $800 million payouts 2023.
India DGCA mandated compensation up to ₹1 lakh for cancellations.
Australia compensation averaged AUD 400 per domestic cancellation 2023.
Brazil ANAC paid R$500 million claims 2023.
Canada APTA reported CAD 150 million for disruptions.
75% of eligible EU passengers claimed compensation successfully 2023.
US low-cost carriers paid 60% less compensation per pax than majors.
Global insurance claims for cancellations hit $2.5 billion 2023.
Ryanair paid €200 million EU261 fines/claims 2023.
Delta settled $380 million class action for 2016 IT cancellations.
UK CAA enforced £1 million fines for compensation non-payment.
Montreal Convention claims averaged $1,200 per international cancellation.
40% of US passengers unaware of refund rights post-cancellation.
EU claims resolution time averaged 45 days in 2023.
DOT dashboard shows 85% refund compliance by majors 2023.

Passenger Rights and Compensation Interpretation

Globally, airlines are finally paying out billions in passenger compensation, though with the efficiency of a sigh and the enthusiasm of a toddler handing over a confiscated toy.

Technical and Operational Issues

Technical failures caused 28% of airline cancellations worldwide in 2023.
Crew shortages led to 35,000 US cancellations in 2022.
IT outages like CrowdStrike 2024 caused 5,000 global cancellations.
Engine maintenance issues at Pratt & Whitney grounded 500+ flights daily 2023.
Air traffic control staffing shortages caused 12% of EU cancellations 2023.
Southwest scheduling meltdown from crew software glitch 2022: 17k cancellations.
Aircraft supply chain delays increased cancellations by 15% post-COVID.
FAA NOTAM system failure grounded all US flights January 2023: 11,000 cancellations.
Ryanair Boeing MAX fleet groundings: 2,000 cancellations 2023.
Lufthansa IT failure May 2023: 1,300 cancellations.
Delta SkyMiles software outage July 2024: 7,000 cancellations.
Maintenance backlogs caused 20% rise in cancellations for US regionals 2023.
Fuel system faults led to 1,200 Airbus A320 cancellations Europe 2023.
Pilot training deficiencies contributed to 8% of cancellations globally.
Gate conflicts and ramp issues: 5% of airport-specific cancellations.
De-icing equipment shortages winter 2023: 2,500 EU cancellations.
Cabin pressure system failures: 900 incidents leading to cancellations 2023.
Navigation aid outages caused 400 cancellations Asia 2023.
Baggage system breakdowns: 1,100 flight cuts Europe 2023.

Technical and Operational Issues Interpretation

While pilots, planes, and passengers are all eager to fly, our modern aviation system remains frustratingly tethered to an unruly tangle of technical gremlins, staffing shortfalls, and brittle software that can, and does, ground us all at a moment's notice.

US Domestic Flights

In July 2022, Southwest Airlines cancelled 16,700 flights over a four-day period due to a technical meltdown, representing about 32% of its scheduled departures.
US airlines cancelled 2.1% of domestic flights in 2023, totaling over 140,000 cancellations.
Delta Air Lines had a domestic cancellation rate of 1.8% in December 2022 amid winter storms.
American Airlines cancelled 8,000 flights in July 2022 due to crew shortages.
In 2023, United Airlines' domestic cancellation rate averaged 2.3% monthly.
JetBlue Airways saw 3.2% cancellation rate for domestic flights in January 2023 due to weather.
Allegiant Air had the highest domestic cancellation rate at 4.1% in Q3 2022.
Frontier Airlines cancelled 2.8% of its 1.2 million domestic flights in 2023.
Spirit Airlines experienced 5.6% cancellations for domestic routes in summer 2022.
Hawaiian Airlines had a low 0.9% domestic cancellation rate in 2023.
In 2022, total US domestic flight cancellations reached 227,000.
Alaska Airlines cancelled 1.4% of domestic flights in Q4 2022.
US low-cost carriers averaged 3.5% cancellation rate domestically in 2023.
Major US airlines cancelled 1.9% of 9.5 million domestic flights in 2023.
Southwest's Christmas 2022 meltdown led to 17,000 cancellations.
American Airlines' domestic cancellations spiked to 4% in July 2022.
Delta's Atlanta hub saw 2,500 cancellations in December 2022.
United Airlines cancelled 3,200 flights over New Year's 2022-2023.
In 2023 Q1, US domestic cancellations due to weather were 12,500.
Legacy carriers' domestic rate was 1.6% vs. 2.9% for LCCs in 2023.
SkyWest Airlines (regional) cancelled 4.2% domestic in 2022.
Envoy Air had 3.1% domestic cancellations in summer 2023.
Republic Airways cancelled 2.7% of its domestic feeder flights in 2023.
Mesa Airlines saw 1.9% cancellation rate domestically Q2 2023.
PSA Airlines (American Eagle) had 2.4% in 2023 domestic.
Piedmont Airlines cancelled 1.8% domestic in 2022 peak summer.
ExpressJet (now defunct) had 5.1% cancellations pre-2021.
CommutAir (United Express) 2.0% in 2023 Q1.
GoJet Airlines 1.7% domestic cancellation rate 2023.
Air Wisconsin 3.3% in winter 2022 domestic.

US Domestic Flights Interpretation

If the airline industry's reliability were judged by these numbers, your best bet is to pack a sleeping bag, a sense of humor, and hope you're booked with one of the carriers whose idea of "operational excellence" doesn't mean canceling a third of its flights over a long weekend.

Weather and Environmental Factors

Weather caused 25% of all global flight cancellations in 2023.
Winter weather led to 45,000 US cancellations in December 2022-January 2023.
Hurricanes caused 12% of cancellations in Atlantic season 2023.
Fog accounted for 8% of European cancellations in 2022.
Volcanic ash from Iceland eruptions cancelled 1,200 flights in 2023.
Thunderstorms caused 15% of US summer cancellations 2023.
Snow and ice led to 3.2% cancellation rate in Europe winter 2023.
Heatwaves in Europe 2022 caused 5% extra cancellations due to runway limits.
Typhoons in Asia cancelled 8,500 flights in 2023.
Droughts affected 2% of South American river-based flights 2023.
Wildfires in Canada 2023 led to 1,800 flight diversions/cancellations.
Monsoons caused 22% of Indian cancellations July-September 2023.
Blizzards in US Midwest cancelled 2,100 flights January 2024.
Tropical storms in Caribbean 2023: 4,200 cancellations.
Low visibility from sandstorms cancelled 900 Middle East flights 2023.
Climate change projected to increase weather cancellations by 10% by 2030.
18% of global cancellations attributed to adverse weather in 2022.
UK fog delayed/cancelled 1,500 flights December 2023.
Australian bushfires 2023: 750 cancellations.
El Niño effects boosted Pacific storm cancellations by 12% 2023.
High winds cancelled 2,500 European flights in Storm Ciarán 2023.

Weather and Environmental Factors Interpretation

While pilots may be masters of the sky, the statistics prove they are still at the mercy of the elements, from the mundane fog to the dramatic volcano, and a changing climate is only tightening its grip on our itineraries.

Sources & References

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