Flights Cancelled Across Europe As Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Switzerland, And More Cancel 403 And Delay 2,550 Flights, Grounding Air France, ITA Airways, Wizz Air Malta, And Others At Milan, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon, And Beyond

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Europe sees flight cancellations spike, as 2,550 delays and 403 cancellations strike Spain, Italy, France, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Portugal, Austria, Albania, and Sweden, according to the latest data. The worst-affected airlines included ITA Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, KLM, Air France, Wizz Air Malta, Swiss, and Vueling Airlines, while popular carriers such as British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and TAP Air Portugal also recorded delays or cancellations. Major disruption was reported at Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome Fiumicino, Zurich, London Gatwick, Barcelona, Lisbon, London Heathrow, Madrid-Barajas, Milan Malpensa, and several other airports. In Italy, a major share of the disruption was linked to the 24-hour ENAV air traffic control strike affecting Milan Malpensa and northern Italian airspace, resulting in widespread operational challenges across domestic, European, and overflying international routes.

• Italy experienced the most significant disruption as the ENAV air traffic control strike affected northern Italian airspace.
• Amsterdam Schiphol reported the highest number of delays with 328.
• Paris Charles de Gaulle recorded 59 cancellations, while Milan Malpensa registered 117 cancellations, the highest among all airports.
• Catania Airport reported 65 cancellations, making it another major hotspot in Italy.
• Ryanair recorded the highest number of delayed flights across the affected airports.
• Air France registered the highest number of cancellations among airlines.
• Airports across France, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, and Albania also experienced operational disruptions.

Worst-Hit European Airports Today

Milan Malpensa Airport

Milan Malpensa Airport recorded 89 delays and 117 cancellations, making it the worst airport in Europe today as operations were heavily impacted by the Italian air traffic control strike.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport reported 328 delays and 23 cancellations, the highest delay total among all affected airports as airlines struggled to maintain schedules.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport registered 265 delays alongside 59 cancellations, significantly affecting both European and long-haul services.

Rome Fiumicino Airport

Rome Fiumicino Airport experienced 222 delays and 7 cancellations, with ITA Airways accounting for a large share of delayed departures.

Zurich Airport

Zurich Airport handled 237 delayed flights and 4 cancellations, with Swiss and Helvetic recording substantial operational delays.

London Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick Airport reported 178 delays and 9 cancellations, with easyJet operating the majority of delayed services.

Barcelona Airport

Barcelona Airport recorded 169 delays and 13 cancellations, while Vueling Airlines and Ryanair experienced the largest operational impact.

London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport saw 142 delays and 26 cancellations, affecting services operated by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, and several international carriers.

Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport

Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport registered 143 delays and 6 cancellations, with TAP Air Portugal experiencing the highest number of delayed flights.

Airlines Disrupted by Flight Cancellations In Europe

Air France

Air France experienced the highest number of cancellations, with 67 flights cancelled, while also recording 156 delayed flights across the affected European airports.

Ryanair

Ryanair recorded 63 cancellations and 211 delays, making it one of the most heavily disrupted airlines during today’s operational challenges.

Wizz Air Malta

Wizz Air Malta registered 49 cancellations alongside 57 delayed flights, particularly affecting operations in Italy, Spain, and Albania.

easyJet

easyJet experienced 34 cancellations and 223 delays, with major disruption at London Gatwick, Geneva, Naples, and Milan Malpensa.

British Airways

British Airways reported 26 cancellations and 65 delays, with the largest impact seen at London Heathrow.

Vueling Airlines

Vueling Airlines recorded 21 cancellations and 76 delays, affecting flights across Spain, Italy, and France.

HOP!

HOP! experienced 16 cancellations, largely centred on operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle, with additional disruption elsewhere in Europe.

KLM

KLM registered 7 cancellations and 163 delays, with the overwhelming majority of delayed services occurring at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

What Should Travellers Facing Flight Cancellations Do?

• Before heading to the airport, take a moment to confirm that your flight is still operating, as schedules can change with little notice.
• Keep an eye on updates from your airline and the airport so you can react quickly if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
• If your travel plans are affected, reach out to your airline as soon as possible to discuss rebooking or alternative travel arrangements.
• Hold on to your boarding pass and any receipts for meals, transport, or accommodation, as they may be useful if you’re eligible for compensation or reimbursement.
• If you’re travelling through a busy European hub, allow extra time since delays can have a ripple effect on connecting flights.
• Check the terms of your travel insurance to understand what support may be available if your journey is disrupted.
• Most importantly, stay patient and follow official updates from your airline and airport, as conditions can change throughout the day.

Learn More

What Is Causing Flight Cancellations In Europe?

Travellers flying into or across Italy on July 5 faced one of the largest coordinated aviation strikes of 2026. The ENAV air traffic control staff responsible for Milan Malpensa is carrying out a 24-hour strike from 12:01 a.m. on July 5 until 12:00 a.m. on July 6. Because the Milan facility manages northern Italian airspace, the disruption extended well beyond flights departing from or arriving in Italy. Aircraft transiting the region were also affected, creating operational challenges for airlines throughout Europe and contributing to significant delays and cancellations across multiple countries.

Overview of Europe Flight Cancellations

Flight cancellations remained widespread across Europe today, July 5, as major hubs including Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Barcelona, Madrid-Barajas, and Zurich continued to experience operational challenges. Airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, Air France, ITA Airways, KLM, British Airways, Vueling Airlines, and Wizz Air Malta were among those most affected by delays and cancellations.
The concentration of disruption at Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Catania, and Linate reflected the impact of aviation issues across Italy, while heavy delays at Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Barcelona, and London Heathrow highlighted how congestion spread through major European hubs. Ryanair, easyJet, Air France, ITA Airways, KLM, and British Airways all faced operational challenges that affected thousands of passengers travelling within Europe and on international routes. Author’s note: flight data is based on FlightAware and reflects live conditions that may change. Travelers should check real-time updates and follow their airline’s latest guidance.
Although some airports experienced only limited cancellations, high delay volumes at Amsterdam Schiphol, Zurich, Paris Charles de Gaulle, London Gatwick, Barcelona, and Lisbon demonstrated that Europe’s air transport network remained under considerable pressure. Travellers using Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Amsterdam Schiphol were among those most likely to encounter schedule changes throughout the day.


Source: Different airports and FlightAware