Major Flight Disruptions Rock European Airports as KLM, Ryanair, Vueling, British Airways and others Face 147 Cancellations with 183 Delays, Leaving Thousands Stuck Across Brussels, London, Paris, Barcelona and Other Destinations

Published on November 26, 2025

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or delayed across Europe’s busiest hubs — including Brussels South Charleroi, London Heathrow, Barcelona International, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Brussels Airport. Major carriers such as KLM, British Airways, easyJet, Vueling Airlines, and Ryanair are among the hardest hit, with routes to popular destinations like London, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, New York, Dubai, Rome, Madrid, and Lisbon affected. The scale of disruptions has left travellers scrambling for alternatives — with holiday plans, business trips, and family reunions hanging in the balance.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport: Ryanair and Vueling Take the Brunt of Disruptions

Ryanair and Vueling Airlines face some of the highest cancellation rates across Brussels South Charleroi Airport, causing significant disruptions for low-cost flyers. Ryanair had to cancel a notable portion of its scheduled flights, further straining passengers’ travel plans. Vueling, too, saw a significant percentage of its operations affected, leaving many holiday-makers and business travellers scrambling for alternate routes.

London Heathrow Airport: British Airways and easyJet Among the Most Affected

British Airways and easyJet were the hardest hit by cancellations and delays at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways saw a high volume of cancellations at its primary hub, with many long-haul and international flights affected, causing chaos for passengers. easyJet also reported numerous delays, adding to the already strained travel situation. Heathrow’s vast network means disruptions have a ripple effect, impacting flights to and from destinations around the world.

Barcelona International Airport: Vueling Airlines and British Airways Lead the Disruptions

At Barcelona International Airport, Vueling Airlines experienced notable disruptions, with several flights either delayed or cancelled. Vueling, which has a large base of operations in Barcelona, contributed to significant traffic bottlenecks as passengers struggled to adjust to last-minute changes. Additionally, British Airways also faced delays, affecting both leisure and business travellers looking to make connections or return to the UK.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: KLM’s Massive Delays Cause Chaos

KLM, the Dutch flagship carrier, was at the centre of delays at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, with flights delayed as the airline battled operational challenges. Despite a low number of cancellations, KLM’s delays had a major impact on passengers trying to make tight connections or reach destinations within Europe and beyond. As one of the busiest hubs in Europe, Schiphol’s capacity to manage delayed flights has been put to the test in the past few days.

Brussels Airport: Ryanair and EasyJet Hit Hard

Brussels Airport saw a spike in cancellations, with Ryanair and easyJet again appearing on the list of major affected airlines. Ryanair had multiple cancellations impacting its usual network of budget travellers, while easyJet’s delays created problems for passengers attempting to rebook or make connections. These low-cost carriers, while providing affordable travel, are now at the forefront of a travel crisis at Brussels Airport.

What’s Causing This Wave of Cancellations & Delays?

Several interlocking factors appear to be behind the widespread disruptions:

• Staff shortages and crew fatigue, especially after a busy travel season, causing airlines to cut flights rather than risk delays.
• Air‑traffic control bottlenecks and congested airspace around major hubs — particularly at Amsterdam, London, and Brussels — leading to delay cascades even when flights are scheduled.
• Operational ripple‑on effects — a single cancellation or delay on a long‑haul flight can disrupt multiple connecting flights, straining aircraft rotation plans.
• Weather variability and regulatory compliance pressures, causing last‑minute cancellations or delays for safety.

Broader Impact: Airports, Travellers, and Tourism

Airports like Amsterdam Schiphol and London Heathrow Airport— central nodes in global air travel — are facing growing reputational and operational risk.

For travellers, the impact is immediate: missed connections, wasted time, financial loss (for hotels, pre‑booked transfers), and heightened stress. Holiday‑makers hoping to reach festive family gatherings or winter vacation spots may now find themselves rearranging entire itineraries.

Tourism flow in affected cities — especially those relying on low‑fare and holiday traffic — could take a hit if disruptions continue. Business travellers, too, face delays that ripple into meetings and corporate commitments.

Advice for Passengers: How to Stay Ahead of the Chaos

• Check flight status frequently — airlines are dropping or delaying flights at short notice; treat your booking as tentative until you actually board.
• Have backup plans — book refundable hotels, avoid tight layovers, and allow extra buffer time for connecting flights.
• Monitor alternative airlines/routes — if your carrier cancels, another might still fly, even if at higher cost.
• Reach out to the airline immediately — many carriers will re‑book or compensate if cancellation is theirs; delay policies vary.
• Stay alert for further disruptions — especially during peak travel periods or holiday seasons.

Conclusion: Travel Chaos Means Flexibility Is Key

Europe’s major airlines and airports are currently navigating a perfect storm — staffing issues, traffic overload, and lingering seasonality pressures. The cascade of flight cancellations and delays shows no discrimination: budget carriers, flag airlines and low‑cost operators alike are affected.

If you have travel plans now or in the coming weeks — treat them as fragile. Pack patience, build in buffer time, and stay ready to pivot. In this climate, flexibility may not just be helpful — it’s essential. Passengers who proactively adjust may avoid the worst of the disruption.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware