Thousands of passengers sue airlines in Hamburg - German courts overwhelmed by 8,500 passenger lawsuits over flight disruptions in 2025

German courts faced a wave of lawsuits from air passengers in 2025. Over 8,500 cases were filed at Hamburg-Mitte District Court alone, with most involving flight cancellations, delays, and disputes over travel contracts. The surge has put pressure on legal systems still adapting to new technologies.

Flight-related claims made up more than half of all civil lawsuits at the Hamburg court last year. The majority of passengers sought compensation for disrupted journeys, though some cases also involved lost luggage or broken contracts. While the total number of lawsuits dropped slightly from 2024—when over 9,300 were recorded—the volume remains high.

Nationwide, around 121,000 claims were submitted in 2025, about 10,000 fewer than the previous year. Legal experts attribute the persistent caseload to user-friendly online platforms that help travellers pursue compensation. Courts are now exploring AI tools to manage the workload, but these systems are still in early testing phases. No specific breakdown was available for baggage-related claims compared to cancellations or delays in Hamburg's 2025 figures.

The slight decline in lawsuits offers little relief for overburdened courts. With digital claim services making legal action more accessible, airlines and legal systems must prepare for continued demand. AI assistance could eventually streamline processing, but for now, manual handling remains the norm.