More than half of passengers affected by flight disruptions during Europe’s summer travel season had to organise their onward journeys independently, according to a CMAC Group survey. Among those requiring ground transport, 57% made their own arrangements, highlighting persistent gaps in airline support after cancellations, delays and other disruptions.
The Censuswide research covered 1,250 passengers in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Greece and Spain whose journeys were disrupted between June and August 2026. Of those needing ground transport, 96% encountered at least one problem. Long waits were the most common issue, reported by 41%, while 37% faced high transport costs.
Only 19% of passengers who were offered transport or accommodation received it within one hour, compared with 35% who expected assistance within that timeframe. Two-thirds said support should extend beyond refunds or rebooking to include arrangements for transport and accommodation.
The disruption also had wider effects: 41% reported severe stress, 29% incurred unexpected expenses and 22% lost holiday days. Around 37% said they would be less likely to fly with the same airline again after such an experience. The survey does not identify the airlines involved or break down results by country or disruption type.