Flight Troubles on the Rise: Why You Need Travel Protection More Than Ever

If you've traveled by air lately, you may have experienced delays or cancellations due to the mounting operational issues facing airlines. From crippling IT outages to maintenance delays caused by mechanic shortages, it seems the hassles of air travel are only getting worse after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the industry.

And with these disruptions come an increased chance of flight cancellations or delays that can kick off a trip-wrecking domino of events that make a travel protection plan even more important these days.

Pro tips: What to do if Your Flight is Canceled

One of the biggest culprits behind recent headline-making flight disruptions has been a rash of major technical failures and system outages affecting airlines and air traffic control operations. Over the last few years, we've seen trip-wrecking events like:

• United Airlines temporarily grounding all US flights due to a technology issue caused by a software update
• Over 2,000 UK flights cancelled for days after an air traffic control system failure
• The FAA's NOTAM system suffered an outage that led to over 10,000 flight delays and 1,000 cancellations that lasted for days
• Southwest Airlines cancelling over 16,000 flights around the 2022 holidays due to a major IT meltdown, followed by additional issues delaying thousands of flights just a few months later

With airline operations now heavily dependent on aging computer systems and technology infrastructure - some dating back to the 1970s - any systems hiccup can have cascading impacts. Southwest has been particularly plagued by repeated IT breakdowns, leading to a $1.3 billion investment in technical upgrades.

See: The Worst Airports for Flight Delays in the U.S. and the World

Compounding the technical issues is the severe shortage of qualified aircraft mechanics in the U.S. The pandemic caused many experienced mechanics to leave the industry, retiring early or finding other work. Now, as travel demand has resurged, there aren't enough mechanics to go around.

Current data shows the aviation industry needs to fill over 12,000 aircraft mechanic roles annually, but training programs are only supplying about 70% of that demand. With too few mechanics, routine maintenance can easily get backlogged, leading to more cancellations and delays for services.

The industry is also grappling with supply chain issues affecting aircraft manufacturing and availability. Recent groundings of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 and engine issues with the Pratt & Whitney GTF have disrupted routes for many major airlines. Labor shortages, including air traffic controller staffing, are creating additional operational challenges.

Amid these compounding problems with technology, parts and personnel, flight disruptions are expected to continue in the near-term. These operational headaches are also contributing to rising airfares.

What Airlines Owe You in Case of Flight Delays and Cancellations

Between widespread technical meltdowns and not enough mechanics to maintain aircraft, airline operations are increasingly susceptible to major disruptions. Travel protection plans are becoming essential for air passengers to help safeguard against certain cancellations, delays, lost baggage and other travel mishaps.

With air travel costs rising, the financial stakes of cancellations and delays get even higher for passengers and travel protection makes even more sense.

Airfare prices began spiking in 2022 as travel rebounded from pandemic lows, according to the NerdWallet Travel Price Index. Fares were up 17% from February 2022 to 2023, with an additional 3.4% increase through April 2024 versus the prior year.

A good travel protection plan provides valuable insurance coverage and 24/7 Travel Assistance that can help you when flight issues arise.  

If your flight is cancelled or delayed, then it could cause a ripple effect. A travel protection plan may help you with booking a new flight, and recoup the costs associated with the new booking, your missed hotel stay, and transportation to and from the airport, in case of a covered event. Those costs can quickly add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars that you could be reimbursed if you’re covered by the right plan.

While no one wants their travel derailed, the peace of mind offered by travel protection is becoming absolutely critical given the current chaos in air travel. Don't take any chances - get a plan from Generali Global Assistance before your next flight!