Thousands of Passengars Stuck in Europe as Copenhagen Airport, London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, Berlin Brandenburg and more Cancelled 17 Flights and 208 Flights were Delayed Causing Travel Chaos Across Athens, Barcelona, Zurich and others

Published on December 13, 2025

Thousands of passengers are facing major disruptions across Europe as Copenhagen Airport, London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, Berlin Brandenburg, and several other key hubs cancel 17 flights and delay 208 others. This chaotic situation is causing widespread travel inconvenience, particularly affecting international connections to and from Athens, Barcelona, Zurich, and other popular destinations. The ripple effects of these disruptions are making it difficult for passengers to manage their travel plans, with many stranded at airports, scrambling for rebooking options, and struggling to make onward connections. As winter travel picks up, such disruptions are becoming more frequent, emphasizing the vulnerability of the European aviation sector to operational and weather-related challenges.

Flight Cancellations and Delays Across Major Airports

Here’s a closer look at the flight disruptions happening at several European airports today:

Copenhagen Airport (CPH) – Operational Issues Cause Delays and Cancellations

• Cancelled flights: 3
• Delayed flights: 7

Copenhagen Airport, a crucial gateway for travelers to and from Scandinavia, is seeing disruptions today, with three flights cancelled and others facing delays. Although the reason for the cancellations remains officially unconfirmed, similar disruptions in the region have been linked to operational constraints related to severe weather conditions and ongoing technical issues with airline systems.

Tourism Impact:

• As one of the key entry points for tourism in Denmark, the current disruptions may deter some tourists planning their trips. Visitors to Copenhagen, particularly those hoping to catch cruises to other Scandinavian cities, might face delays in their itineraries.

Cancelled Arrivals of Copenhagen Airport

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) – Major Hub Faces High Delays and a Single Cancellation

• Cancelled flights: 2
• Delayed flights: 77

London Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest international airports, is experiencing significant delays today. With 77 flights delayed and two flight cancelled, the disruption is severe, and the knock-on effects are expected to continue throughout the day. The cause of these issues remains tied to both operational delays and external factors such as high air traffic volumes and limited staffing resources during the peak winter period.

Tourism Impact:

• As a major gateway to the UK, disruptions at Heathrow affect inbound tourism, especially for tourists visiting London’s iconic landmarks or taking short breaks in the British capital.
• Delays also impact flights connecting to popular European destinations, such as Paris, Rome, and Berlin.

Cancelled Arrivals of London Heathrow Airport

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) – Light Impact with Delays and One Cancellation

• Cancelled flights: 3
• Delayed flights: 40

Gatwick, London’s second busiest airport, is seeing minor but still impactful disruptions today. While two flight has been cancelled, a larger number of flights (40 in total) have been delayed, mainly affecting short-haul flights to European cities.

Tourism Impact:

• Gatwick handles a significant portion of budget and leisure travelers flying to Southern Europe. Cancellations and delays may cause frustration for those with tight schedules for sightseeing or business activities.

Cancelled Arrivals of London Gatwick Airport

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) – Mild Disruptions with Minimal Cancellations

• Cancelled flights: 2
• Delayed flights: 12

Amsterdam Schiphol, one of Europe’s leading hubs, is witnessing relatively minimal disruptions today. With two cancellation reported, the airport is handling the delays fairly efficiently. However, as Schiphol operates a high number of international services, even minor delays can cause a ripple effect across the network.

Tourism Impact:

• Amsterdam is a key European tourist hub, and delays may affect travelers visiting the city for its world-class museums, canals, or vibrant cultural experiences.

Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) – Limited Cancellations

• Cancelled flights: 1
• Delayed flights: 17

Madrid-Barajas airport, Spain’s busiest, has only one cancelled flight today, but five others are delayed. The cause of the delays has not been officially confirmed, though they likely stem from high traffic volumes or minor technical glitches within airport systems.

Tourism Impact:

• As one of Europe’s top tourist destinations, Spain is always a favorite among visitors. Any disruptions in Madrid have ripple effects on domestic tourism, especially for those coming for long weekends or sightseeing tours.

Cancelled Departures of Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) – Delays and Cancellations

• Cancelled flights: 1
• Delayed flights: 17

Istanbul’s secondary airport, Sabiha Gokcen, is seeing some turbulence today with 1 cancelled flight and 17 delayed flights. This has been primarily caused by operational delays, which have affected mostly regional and domestic flights within Europe and the Middle East.

Tourism Impact:

• Istanbul remains a key gateway for tourists visiting Turkey and its famous attractions like the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, but delays may hinder tourists on tight itineraries.

Cancelled Arrivals of Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l Airport

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) – Cancellations in Line with General Disruptions

• Cancelled flights: 2
• Delayed flights: 14

Berlin Brandenburg, Germany’s capital airport, is facing limited disruptions today with 2 cancelled flight and 14 delayed departures. The delays appear to be tied to technical and scheduling issues that typically affect regional and intra-European flights.

Tourism Impact:

• Berlin is an international cultural and tourism hub, and any delays or cancellations directly impact the visitors flocking to see its historical landmarks.

Cancelled Arrivals of Berlin-Brandenburg Airport

London Luton Airport (LTN) – One Flight Cancelled

• Cancelled flights: 2
• Delayed flights: 12

London Luton, which is known for its budget flights to destinations across Europe, is seeing some operational impact today with two cancellation.

Tourism Impact:

• Luton’s value for money services make it popular among those heading for city breaks or low-cost holidays. The airport’s service disruption might lead to some frustration, particularly for travelers on tight schedules.

Cancelled Arrivals of London Luton Airport

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) – Light Disruption

• Cancelled flights: 1
• Delayed flights: 11

Edinburgh Airport, a major departure point for Scotland, is seeing minimal disruption, with 1 flight cancelled and several delays. Passengers should remain alert for any additional changes.

Tourism Impact:

• As Scotland’s busiest airport, delays here might inconvenience those traveling to scenic destinations like the Scottish Highlands and the Edinburgh Festival.

Cancelled Departures of Edinburgh Airport

Summary of Cancelled and Delayed Flight By Airport

Conclusion

Flight cancellations and delays at major European airports are a constant reminder of the complexities and potential disruptions that come with international travel. While operational and weather-related issues are common, today’s disruptions have highlighted the vulnerability of the industry during peak travel periods. Passengers are advised to stay in close contact with their airlines for real-time updates and plan accordingly to minimize the impact of delays.

As we head into the holiday season, tourism in Europe may face short-term setbacks due to these disruptions. However, the continued commitment from airlines and airports to improve services and provide compensation will be key in managing both passenger expectations and the broader impact on the tourism industry.

Source:- FlightAware and Different Airports