Flights, summer 2026: punctuality improves but 3 out of 10 are late

Despite the increase in air traffic, flight punctuality improves in the summer of 2026, but almost 3 out of 10 planes still land late compared to the scheduled time, and problems in air traffic management caused a total of 10.8 million minutes of delay in European skies between June and August. The data comes from RimborsoAlVolo, a company specializing in air transport and passenger assistance, which carried out a processing based on Eurocontrol reports and reports received from passengers.

Among the 20 major airlines, the SAS group recorded the best arrival punctuality rate (86%), followed by Turkish Airlines (85%), while Agean stopped at 60% and ITA Airways just above (62%). As regards airports, among the 30 busiest airports Stockholm ranks this summer at the top of the punctuality ranking at departures, with a rate of 82%, followed by Oslo and Istanbul (81%); the worst performances were at Lisbon airport (52%), while Rome Fiumicino stopped at 56%.

Despite the increase in the price of jet fuel, the average price of flights has collapsed in Italy this summer. This is as a direct consequence of the conflict in the Middle East which - explains RimborsoAlVolo - has led to a lower demand for flights to foreign destinations, with direct effects on ticket prices. However - according to the company - on the airfare front, price increases are upon us: in 2027 flight prices could undergo significant increases, as fuel supplies purchased by companies at controlled prices will run out, with the increased costs borne by the carriers which will be partly passed on to travellers.