Estela Silva / Lusa
Delays and cancellations: 36% of flights departing from Portuguese airports until last month suffered disruptions. Companies already owe 145 million. Compensations range up to 600 euros per passenger.
Increase in the number of passengers; shortage of human resources; handling strikes. This is a trio that is increasing the flight disruptions whose consequences are visible in numbers: airlines will have to pay 145 million euros in compensation to passengers in the first nine months of 2025.
Between January and September, of the 187 thousand flights that departed from Portuguese airports, 36% registered irregularities, including delays and cancellations, totaling more than 67 thousand flights affected — an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year, according to data provided by AirHelp to . In total, 27 million passengers flew from Portugal during this period, with 36%, or around 9.5 million, facing some type of problem. Of these, 364 thousand passengers are entitled to compensation according to EC Regulation 261/2004, which establishes the rights of air passengers in the European Union.
Common average value of 400 euros per passengercompensation amounts to 145 million euros.
Humberto Delgado airport, in Lisbon, stands out for the highest volume of disruptions. Until September, 44.3% of flights suffered irregularities, compared to 39% in the previous year. While Portela leads with the worst numbers, Porto and Faro airports registered a slight decrease in disruptions, falling from 29.8% to 29% in Porto and from 23.2% to 20.8% in Faro.
Comparing with other European countries, Portugal remains in the top three in terms of affected passengers. Between January and September 2025, Greece leads with 36%, followed by Germany with 35.9% and Portugal with 30.7%.
As far as airlines are concerned, the TAP, Ryanair and easyJet recorded the highest volume of passengers transported and, consequently, disruptions. TAP leads the ranking of delays and cancellations, with 42.9% of flights affected between January and September (36.8% in 2024), and 1.4% of flights canceled — a value consistent with last year.
At Lisbon airport, long queues and delays persist, exacerbated by the implementation of the new European automated external border control system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), in force since October 12th. The system has generated additional constraints on the entry and exit of non-EU passengers.
Passenger movement continues to grow and reach historic levels. Data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) show that by August 2025, national airports handled close to 50 million passengers, an increase of 4.9% compared to the same period of the previous year.
How to claim compensation
“After all, how can I see if I have the right and ask for compensation?” asks the reader. AirHelp itself, for example, travelers.
The amount of compensation you are entitled to by law depends on the flight distance: up to 1,500km is €250, over 1,500km in the European Economic Area is €400, between 1,501km and 3,500km outside the EEA is €400, over 3,500km outside the EEA is €300 (between 3 and 4 hours delay) or €600 (more than 4 hours).
You must know the details of the complete trip, from the origin airport to the final destination. Deco Proteste can help calculate compensation (exclusive to Deco supporters). It is possible to complain to the National Civil Aviation Authority (), responsible for protecting passenger rights in Portugal.
But be aware that when a flight is canceled or delayed due to “extraordinary circumstances”, there is no room for any compensation. These circumstances are bad weather, security risks, political unrest or strikes. In these cases, the company must present solutions: refund of the ticket, return to the starting point or rerouting to the final destination with similar conditions, at the first opportunity or at a later date, which is at the convenience of the passenger.
The company You must notify passengers about flight cancellation at least 14 days in advanceso as not to have to pay compensation.
E if the flight is delayed by more than two hoursthe airline is obliged to offer
food, drinks, free contact with family and accommodation if necessary.
