120% increase in global flight delays and cancellations, driven by conflict in the Middle East
Kiwi.com, a leader in travel tech, has published its first monthly report on global flight disruptions. The report offers an overview of the main causes behind flight delays or cancellations in June 2025 and is based on the company’s internal data.
Main causes of disrupted flights-June 2025*
| Cause | % of total | YoY** Change |
|---|---|---|
| Geopolitical conflicts / War / Terrorism | ||
| ● Middle East conflict | 87.41% | |
| 87.13% | ⬆️ 2467% | |
| Strikes and protests | 7.82% | ⬆️ 60% |
| Other causes | 1.42% | ⬆️ 12% |
| Air traffic restrictions | 1.41% | — |
| Airline operational issues | 1.32% | ⬆️ 47% |
| Natural disasters | 0.42% | — |
| Government regulations | 0.15% | — |
| Airport closures | 0.05% | ⬇️ 92% |
* Data reflects the number of Kiwi.com passengers affected by flight disruptions or changes
** YoY year on year
What happened in June?
The armed conflict in the Middle East was the main cause of flight delays and cancellations, impacting over 87% of Kiwi.com passengers who experienced flight issues. In this context, the total number of disrupted flights doubled compared to the same period last year. Globally, the rate of delayed or canceled flights reached 3.84%, while some countries in the Middle East saw increases of up to 54%.
In Europe, the beginning of summer was marked by a series of strikes at airports and airlines in the UK, France, Italy, Finland, and Argentina, which were responsible for nearly 8% of all recorded incidents. Compared to last year, the number of passengers affected by strikes or protests rose by 60%.
Other notable events included:
● The tragic Air India AI171 crash near Ahmedabad airport;
● Air traffic control issues in Geneva and Naples;
● Continued FAA restrictions on hourly flights at Newark airport, USA;
● The eruption of Mount Lewotobi volcano, affecting flights to and from Bali.
Kiwi.com Guarantee | Supporting passengers during unexpected situations
Commenting on the report findings and the impact of disrupted flights on Kiwi.com customers, Oliver Dlouhý, co-founder and CEO of the company, stated:
“Supporting our customers during unexpected situations is a core part of everything we do, because we know how stressful these moments can be when traveling. With the launch of the Kiwi.com Guarantee last year, we have been able to concretely assist affected travelers, including by providing over 1 million euros to passengers whose flights were disrupted by the Middle East conflict.”
The Kiwi.com Guarantee is a service that offers protection to passengers affected by flight changes. They receive instant credit in the event of delays or cancellations, without additional forms or waiting for a refund, and can immediately book another flight with any airline. The guarantee also includes automatic check-in and 24/7 assistance for all bookings covered under the service.
