What’s causing the recent delays to European flights?

Have a question? Ask our expert Simon Calder

Flight from Porto was more than two hours late (Getty/iStock)

Q I had two flights in quick succession – from Porto to Toulouse and Toulouse to Gatwick – both of which were delayed by two and a half hours. I’ve not really understood the explanations by both pilots. All I wanted them to tell me was if I’d get any compensation! Do you know what’s going on?

David B

A Both pilots, I speculate, described how delays had built up during the day due to air-traffic control hold-ups. It’s a really tricky summer due to relentless capacity growth. Even though the prospect of Brexit has dampened demand for flights between the UK and Europe, there are about 4 or 5 per cent more flights this summer. While there have been plans to reform the skies across Europe for the past 20 years, there has been foot-dragging among some nations that has delayed the whole project.