Flight delays and cancellations can cause a lot of stress, especially when you are on a tight schedule. For anyone travelling for work or leisure, disruptions like these are frustrating and can lead to unexpected expenses. Understanding why delays and cancellations happen, how often they occur and what you can do about them helps you travel more confidently.
Common causes of flight delays and cancellations
The most probable reasons for flight cancellations and delays are:
1. Bad weather
Weather is one of the most common reasons flights get delayed. Fog, heavy rain, snow or strong winds can reduce visibility and safety, making it risky for flights to take off or land.
2. Air traffic control restriction
When air traffic is congested or airports are dealing with too many flights at once, controllers might delay take-offs or landings to keep things safe.
3. Aircraft maintenance issues
If the aircraft needs repairs or technical checks before flying, it can lead to delays. Safety checks are crucial and can’t be rushed.
4. Crew availability
Sometimes flights are delayed if the assigned crew hasn’t arrived, is delayed from a previous flight or has exceeded their allowed working hours.
5. Security concerns
Any threat or security alert at the airport or with the flight can cause delays or cancellations for passenger safety.
6. Late arrival of the aircraft
When your plane is coming from another city and is late arriving, it can delay your flight too.
Global and Indian flight delay statistics
Flight delays are a key concern for travellers, with punctuality often shaping the entire travel experience. Recent data from Cirium and DGCA offers a detailed look at how major global and Indian airlines are performing when it comes to on-time arrivals and delays.
Global Statistics
According to Cirium’s April 2025 report, Avianca ranked among the most punctual global airlines, with an 86.95% on-time performance (OTP) across over 21,000 flights. British Airways and LATAM Airlines followed with OTPs of 85.62% and 84.48%, respectively. Qatar Airways led Middle Eastern carriers with an 87.18% on-time rate across more than 16,000 operations.
Delta Air Lines, one of the world’s busiest carriers, reported an 84.72% OTP in 2024 across approximately 1.7 million flights, according to Cirium’s full-year data. For April 2025 specifically, Delta achieved an 83.07% OTP across nearly 63,000 flights. While OTP metrics are widely reported, average delay times remain unpublished at a network level and are typically accessible only through route-specific platforms like FlightStats.
Indian Airlines
IndiGo, India’s largest airline by fleet size and passenger volume, recorded a robust on-time performance (OTP) of 73.4% on June 24, 2025.
On the other hand, Air India reported an OTP of 67.6%, while While Air India Express has generally shown competitive on-time performance, certain routes like Flight IX1240 have experienced variable punctuality, with average delays ranging from 25 to 84 minutes, according to data from FlightStats and Airportia. Akasa Air, despite being a relatively new entrant in the Indian aviation sector, continues to deliver strong performance, with OTPs ranging from 74% to 86.9% depending on the day and airport. However, comprehensive network-wide average delay data remains limited, particularly for newer carriers.
How do flight delays & cancellations impact passengers?
Flight disruptions affect travellers in multiple ways:
- Missed connections: If your flight is late, you might miss a connecting flight, causing major changes in your schedule.
- Extra costs: Delays can lead to extra spending on food, hotel stays, transport or rebooking flights.
- Time loss: Missing work, family events or tourist bookings, the time lost due to delays cannot be recovered.
- Emotional stress: Waiting at airports, especially with no clear updates, can be exhausting and mentally draining.
Tips for minimising travel disruptions
Here are some practical tips to help you reduce the impact:
- Book early flights: Morning flights are less likely to be delayed because air traffic is lighter, and earlier planes are usually already on the ground.
- Give yourself extra time between connections: Leave at least a 2-3-hour gap between connecting flights to account for potential delays.
- Choose reliable airlines: Check recent on-time performance rankings and choose airlines with good punctuality records.
- Use travel apps: Track your flights in real-time with airline or travel apps. They send notifications for gate changes, delays or cancellations.
- Plan with flexibility: Avoid tight schedules when possible. Flexibility in your itinerary can help absorb minor disruptions.
Role of travel insurance in case of flight delays & cancellations
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, your insurance can help cover the costs. They help in the following ways:
- Expense reimbursement: Many plans offer allowances for food, accommodation or local transport if your flight is delayed.
- Trip cancellation cover: If your flight is cancelled or rescheduled, you may be reimbursed for pre-paid bookings like hotels or activities.
- Missed connections: If a delay causes you to miss a connecting flight, insurance can help pay for new travel plans.
- Medical and emergency support: In case of illness or injury during delays, insurance provides medical and financial support.
Choosing a single trip travel insurance plan is often affordable and ideal for short holidays or work trips. It is quick to buy online and offers peace of mind.
Conclusion
Flight delays and cancellations are common, but with the right planning and protection, you do not have to let them ruin your trip. Getting travel insurance online, especially a well-chosen single trip travel insurance plan, acts as your financial safety net. So before you take off, make sure your journey is as secure as it is exciting. Travel smart. Travel insured.
FAQs
1. Do airlines in India have to compensate for delays?
Yes. If your flight is delayed more than two hours or rescheduled significantly, airlines are required to offer meals, accommodation or alternate transport, depending on the delay.
2. How can I claim expenses due to a flight delay?
Keep all your receipts and file claims with both the airline and your travel insurer. Online travel insurance platforms usually simplify the claims process.
3. Is travel insurance expensive?
No. Basic plans offering delay protection, baggage coverage and medical help can be bought for a small fee online.
4. Does travel insurance cover missed flights or natural disasters?
Yes. A comprehensive plan or a good single trip travel insurance policy typically covers missed flights due to delays, weather issues and even natural disasters.
5. Can I get a full refund if my flight is cancelled?
Yes, if the airline cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full refund or alternate travel at no extra cost, depending on your preference. The exact process may vary by airline and location, so it is important to read the airline’s cancellation policy in advance or speak to customer support directly.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the topic featured in the article. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.