Europe Hit with Travel Disruptions as easyJet, Air France, British, KLM, Iberia and More Airlines Face 595 Delays and 48 New Cancellations Across Hungary, Malta, Latvia, Turkey, Russia, With Budapest, Valletta, Riga, Istanbul, Moscow and Others

Published on December 17, 2025

Europe is facing significant travel disruptions as easyJet, Air France, British Airways, KLM, Wizz Air, Iberia, and several other airlines report a combined 595 delays and 48 cancellations. These disruptions are impacting travelers across multiple countries, including Hungary, Malta, Latvia, Turkey, and Russia, with major cities like Budapest, Valletta, Riga, Istanbul, Moscow, and others feeling the effects. While the exact reasons for these delays and cancellations have not been specified, passengers in these regions are grappling with flight uncertainties. The ripple effect is being felt across major hubs, as travelers are struggling to make alternative arrangements. With busy travel seasons approaching, the disruptions are creating major inconveniences for both leisure and business travelers.

Airports and airlines are working to address the situation, but for now, passengers are advised to stay updated on flight statuses and be prepared for potential delays.

Airport Disruptions Reveal Pressure on Europe’s Busiest Hubs

Europe’s Most Affected Airports by Delays and Cancellations

Several of Europe’s most important aviation gateways are at the centre of the disruption. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) tops the list with 115 delays and 12 cancellations, making it the most impacted airport in the dataset. As a critical hub for Northern and Western Europe, congestion at Schiphol has ripple effects across multiple countries.

Close behind is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), which recorded 106 delays and 10 cancellations, underscoring operational strain at France’s primary international airport. London Heathrow (LHR) follows with 99 delays and 3 cancellations, reflecting continued pressure at one of Europe’s busiest global hubs.

Southern Europe has not been spared. Rome Fiumicino (FCO) logged 54 delays and 3 cancellations, while Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) reported 76 delays and 2 cancellations, signalling growing disruption in Mediterranean travel corridors.

Regional and Secondary Airports Also Impacted

Disruptions extend beyond major hubs. Kraków John Paul II Airport (KRK) recorded 54 delays and 4 cancellations, showing that Central Europe is also affected. Paris Orly (ORY) added 40 delays and 2 cancellations, while Dublin Airport (DUB) experienced 18 delays and 3 cancellations.

Smaller but notable impacts were seen at Copenhagen (CPH) and Glasgow (GLA) with 14 delays and 2 cancellations each. Even lower-traffic airports such as Genoa (GOA) and Craiova (CRA) reported cancellations, highlighting that disruption is widespread rather than isolated.

Airline Disruptions Mirror Airport Congestion Across Europe

Airlines Recording the Highest Number of Delays

On the airline side, easyJet (UK) reported the highest disruption, with 296 delays and 7 cancellations, reflecting its extensive short-haul footprint across Europe. Wizz Air (Hungary) followed with 123 delays and 8 cancellations, while Air France logged 112 delays and 9 cancellations, aligning closely with pressure at Paris airports.

Pegasus Airlines (Turkey) recorded 111 delays and 2 cancellations, showing that delays are also affecting Europe’s eastern and southeastern aviation links. Vueling Airlines (Spain) reported 95 delays, while KLM (Netherlands) added 81 delays and 10 cancellations, reinforcing the impact seen at Amsterdam Schiphol.

Other Airlines Facing Operational Challenges

Additional disruption was reported by British Airways with 72 delays and 3 cancellations, S7 Airlines with 44 delays, Iberia with 37 delays and 2 cancellations, and Aer Lingus, Air Baltic, and Wizz Air Malta, each contributing further delays and cancellations across Europe.

Combined Impact on Airports, Cities, and Countries

Countries and Cities Most Affected

The data shows the UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, and Poland among the most affected countries. Cities such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Lisbon, Kraków, Dublin, and Copenhagen are experiencing sustained disruption due to their reliance on high-frequency airline operations and hub connectivity.

The alignment between airline delays and airport congestion indicates system-wide strain rather than isolated operational issues.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

Passengers impacted by these delays and cancellations should take immediate action:

Stay Connected With Airlines

Monitor airline apps and official communication channels for real-time updates.

Request Rebooking or Assistance

Airlines may offer alternative routes, later departures, or overnight support depending on the situation.

Know Your Passenger Rights

Under European air passenger regulations, travellers may be entitled to care, rerouting, or compensation depending on delay length and cancellation timing.

Allow Extra Time at Airports

With major hubs experiencing congestion, travellers should arrive earlier than usual and prepare for extended waiting times.

Europe’s Aviation Network Under Strain

With 595 delays and 48 cancellations recorded across European airports and airlines, the data points to sustained operational pressure across the continent. The disruption highlights vulnerabilities in Europe’s interconnected air travel system, especially during peak seasonal demand, and signals continued challenges for passengers in the days ahead.

Source: FlightAware and Affected Airports