As summer and holiday seasons prompt many Swedes to book flights abroad, the risk of delays or cancellations looms large.

The Swedish Consumer Agency’s latest figures, published on Thursday, highlight the significant cost these disruptions place on travellers.

At the end of June, six million passengers across Europe were affected by flight delays.

Factors contributing to these delays included bad weather, capacity issues, the ongoing war in Ukraine which has restricted airspace, and a recent global IT failure, which caused problems with booking systems and departures.

So, what do these air travel disruptions end up costing an affected Swedish traveller?

A considerable sum, it turns out.

The financial burden of cancellations and delays

According to a recent study by the Swedish Consumer Agency, the average cost incurred by travellers due to cancelled and delayed flights is approximately 3,000 kronor per person per year.

This figure encompasses out-of-pocket expenses, excluding any compensation received and the time spent resolving the issues.

“It’s about two billion kronor per year, so it’s a lot of money,” Claudia Ayala Calderon, legal advisor at Konsument Europa, told SVT, the Swedish national public television broadcaster.

Know your compensation rights

Despite these significant costs, many travellers fail to claim compensation.

READ MORE: These are your rights as a consumer in Sweden

The Swedish Consumer Agency reports that one in three consumers is unaware of their rights in the event of flight disruptions.

“Many people neglect to request compensation for the extra costs caused by flight delays,” Calderon said. “It’s not that complicated, but it takes time. We advise consumers to contact the airline in writing, via email or their contact form.” 

If you’re eligible for compensation, the amount will vary based on the flight distance, according to SVT, ranging from 250 to 600 euros.

Psst! The Local has a detailed guide for claiming compensation for EU flights, which you can find here.

Calderon advised consumers to keep all receipts to prove additional expenses, as many airlines do not accept bank statements as evidence.

Looking ahead

As summer continues, delays may persist.

Eivind Martinsen, a manager at the Swedish Civil Aviation Authority, recently noted that an air traffic controller shortage is also negatively impacting air traffic.

“Generally, in Europe, there has been a shortage of air traffic controllers for a very long time, and the pandemic has exacerbated this,” Martinsen told Sweden’s national broadcaster.

Despite these and other challenges, Sweden’s airspace remains relatively less congested compared to some other parts of Europe.

“Sweden is somewhat outside the core of Europe where most air traffic occurs, and the capacity in Swedish airspace is high,” he explained.

However, flights passing through countries like Germany and France may still face higher risks of delays, so Swedish travellers should remain vigilant and informed about their rights to claim compensation for flight delays and cancellations.

If you need help or guidance to solve any consumer-related issue in Sweden, you can always reach out to the Swedish Consumer Agency.

Also, if you want to check whether you are entitled to compensation and how much you can claim from the airline, try using the consumer authority’s free tool, Flygkalkylatorn.