Australian travellers face ongoing flight disruptions with cancellation rates climbing above long-term averages, according to the latest Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) data. RACV is advising passengers to understand their rights and prepare contingency plans when travelling.
February 2025 data reveals the national flight cancellation rate reached 2.6 per cent (or over 1,050 flight cancellations), exceeding the long-term average of 2.2 per cent, while on-time performance for both arrivals (80.3 per cent) and departures (80.5 per cent) fell below historical benchmarks.
"These figures confirm what many travellers are experiencing—flight disruptions remain a significant challenge despite some improvement over last year," said RACV Travel Insurance Manager Judith Gamble.
"With one in five flights not arriving on time and cancellations trending upward, so understanding your travel insurance policy has never been more important.
RACV reminds travellers that airlines' responses to delays vary based on whether disruptions are within their control. For disruptions caused by operational issues, passengers may be entitled to rebooking, expense coverage, or refunds, while weather-related or air traffic control problems typically result in more limited assistance.
RACV's tips for travellers include:
- Considering comparing different travel insurance plans before purchasing.
- Taking the time to compare various travel insurance plans allows you to evaluate the different levels of coverage offered. Typically, higher levels of coverage provide benefits for scenarios such as trip cancellations, overseas medical expenses, travel delays, and more.
- It's essential to read the product disclosure document to fully understand what is and isn't covered under each policy, ensuring you select the most suitable option for your needs.
- Monitoring flight status regularly before departure.
- Knowing your consumer rights under Australian law.
