<h1>Regulatory and geopolitical disruptions prompt airline cancellations and trigger passenger refund and compensation obligations and operational cost liabilities for carriers.</h1> Regulatory and geopolitical disruptions caused 2,458 flight cancellations or rescheduling this year, concentrated among major carriers. Such disruptions impose additional operating costs on airlines-fuel, crew overtime, maintenance, airport fees, and rebooking-and carriers are required to provide refunds or compensation to passengers for cancellations or significant delays, obligations that remain regardless of concurrent passenger growth.