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.
For more information on passenger rights or assistance with travel bookings, please visit racv.com.au/travel.
-ENDS-
Further information
Since 1903, RACV has been one of Australia’s most trusted brands and is the largest member organisation in Victoria.
RACV is proud to provide exceptional experiences for our members and customers through a range of products and services across motoring and mobility, home, energy and leisure. These include emergency roadside assistance, motor insurance, home insurance, home trades and an increasing range of options in the cleaner energy space, such as RACV Solar. We have nine resorts and one club across Australia and offer a range of domestic and international holiday packages, tours and cruises from our trusted travel partners.
RACV Travel Insurance has been awarded Mozo’s 2025 Experts Choice Award for Comprehensive Travel Insurance, offering Exceptional Quality Travel Insurance for Australian travellers. For more information, visit racv.com.au/insurance/travel-insurance.
About Mozo Experts Choice Awards: The Mozo Experts Choice Awards have been helping consumers make informed purchase decisions for the past ten years. Their extensive award selection process by a panel of expert and experienced judges evaluates thousands of products helping offer exceptional value or quality to Australians each year.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Products issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
RACV Travel Insurance is issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548. Terms & conditions apply, refer to the PDS.
RACV Travel Insurance: The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. RACV Travel Insurance issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548. Terms & conditions apply, refer to the PDS. Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Ltd AR 001243563 is an authorised representative of the issuer and receives commission for each policy sold or renewed.
RACV Trades is a trading name of RACV's trade partner, Club Home Response Pty Ltd (Victorian registered domestic building practitioner number CDB U 100178). All works are performed or arranged by Club Home Response Pty Ltd. trading as RACV Trades.
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