4 German airports among worst in Europe for cancellations, study finds

Four airports in Germany have been named among the worst airports in Europe for cancellations, according to a ranking by German passenger rights organisation Flightright. 

Munich airport worst in Germany for disruptions 

The figures for the first half of 2025, compiled by Flightright, show that while cancellation rates in Germany are declining, there has been a sharp increase in the number of delays. Despite slight improvements, four German airports were still among the worst for disruptions in Europe, and Germany itself has the sixth-highest cancellation rate for flights in Europe at 0,76 percent.

Berlin-Brandenburg, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt found themselves in the top 20 worst airports in Europe for cancellations, ranking in 6th, 12th and 15th place respectively, but the title for worst in Germany went to Munich in 4th place. 

Of the 77.684 flights in and out of Munich in the first six months of the year, 1.002 were cancelled and 19.060 were delayed. In Berlin, 463 were cancelled and 13.015 of the 42.618 flights were delayed, and in Düsseldorf 216 flights were cancelled and 7.668 delayed of the total 34.392. 

Frankfurt Airport showed the greatest improvement with just 700 cancellations and 30.911 delays of the 127.477 flights. Germany’s largest hub was able to bring its rates of disruption right down compared to last year, when it was considered the second-worst in Europe. 

Reduced cancellation rates in German airports

Compared to the first three months of the year, all German airports included in the ranking managed to lower their cancellation rates from April to June. However, there has been a spike in delays; in Q1, 12 to 15 percent of flights were delayed, jumping to 20 to 30 percent by the end of Q2. 

"The current figures send a clear alarm signal to air travellers: While cancellations are declining slightly, delays at Germany's airports are sometimes rising dramatically – at BER, even to over 30 percent,” said Feyza Türkön, Flightright lawyer and passenger rights expert. ”Anyone travelling during the summer season must expect significant delays.”

Helsinki Airport in Finland had the worst cancellation rate in Europe, with 928 cancellations and 11.065 delays out of 37.167 flights. Following closely behind were Brussels and London Heathrow. 

The chaos at airports across Europe is expected to continue. “Internal challenges at airlines, ongoing bottlenecks in aircraft deliveries by Boeing and Airbus, and the high passenger volume in the summer months are putting additional pressure on flight schedules,” explained Türkön. “New strikes – whether at airlines or airports – could also further exacerbate the situation. Whether the situation calms down in late summer or fall depends largely on these external factors."

10 worst airports in Europe for cancellations

In all, these are the airports in Europe with the worst cancellation rates, according to Flightright:

1. Helsinki
2. Brussels
3. London Heathrow
4. Munich
5. Amsterdam
6. Berlin-Brandenburg
7. Zurich
8. Geneva
9. Charles de Gaulle
10. Nice Côte d’Azur

For more information about the ranking, visit the Flightright website.