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This summer has been chaos for airports and airlines around the world. Lost luggage, delays, and cancellations have plagued travelers wishing to enjoy the first summer that genuinely feels like it is post-pandemic. Increased demand has strained the aviation industry, and staffing problems have made it nearly impossible for airports and airlines to keep up. However, with many European airports slashing flights and dealing with significant delays, a few have remained afloat and are currently the best for avoiding flight delays.
Between July 1st and July 10th, the best-performing airports with substantial passenger numbers were in Italy, Spain, Romania, Ireland, and France. The airports in question are below, but for some perspective, the worst-performing airport was Brussels Airport in Belgium, with 72% of their flights delayed. Considering that Brussels Airport only had 28% of their flights operate on time, the airports below look top-notch.
While no airport or airline can 100% guarantee that you won’t be faced with delays or cancellations, the airports above are performing better than many other European airports. CDG in Paris, LGW in London, and AMS in Amsterdam all had over 50% of their flights delayed for the same period as the airports listed above. When looking at travel options for this summer, knowing which airports and airlines offer the greatest chance of on-time performance is vital.
Passengers across Europe have been missing flights amid travel chaos, and any amount of planning that can help prevent your trip from being ruined is worth the time spent. If there is the option to fly into an airport that is performing better, it may be worth shuffling around travel plans. For instance, Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris only had 38% of its flights operate on time between July 1st and July 10th. For that same period Orly Field Airport (ORY), also in Paris, had 79% of its flights operate on time. If you can make it work, ORY is definitely a better option for the foreseeable future.
Choosing the best airline and airport will undoubtedly help your chances of navigating this summer’s travel mess. Still, there are several more tips that will help you navigate the travel chaos. Spending extra time doing travel research, getting good travel insurance, leaving for the airport much earlier than usual, trying to book flights earliest in the day, and packing only a carry-on are just a few things that will help you travel unscathed.
Top 10 European Airports for Avoiding Flight Delays
- Bergamo/Orio al Serio Airport (BGY) in Bergamo, Italy: 97% of Flights On Time
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) in Gran Canaria, Spain: 92% of Flights On Time
- Otopeni International Airport (OTP) in Bucharest, Romania: 90% of Flights On Time
- Dublin International Airport (DUB) in Dublin, Ireland: 85% of Flights On Time
- Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) in Catania, Italy: 84% of Flights On Time
- Adolfo Suarez-Barajas Airport (MAD) in Madrid, Spain: 81% of Flights On Time
- Alicante Airport (ALC) in Province of Alicante, Spain: 80% of Flights On Time
- Marseille Airport (MRS) in Marseille, France: 80% of Flights On Time
- Orly Field (ORY) in Paris, France: 79% of Flights On Time
- Malaga Airport (AGP) in Malaga, Spain: 76% of Flights On Time
If you are unlucky enough to have a flight delayed, there are many ways to pass the time. Checking out an airport lounge, binging podcasts, doing trip research, and buying duty-free souvenirs are a few things that can fill some time. Hopefully, the delay is short, but being ready for one will make it feel like less of an inconvenience.
If you are unlucky enough to have your flight completely canceled, or should your luggage go missing, it is vital that you know your passenger rights. You often won’t get the full details of what you are entitled to from your airline, so knowing what your rights are can save you a lot of headache.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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