Thousands Of Passengers Impacted Across Europe As Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, France And More Cancel 220 Flights And Delay 1393, Creating Major Travel Chaos For Ryanair, Air France, KLM, Swiss, Lufthansa And Other Airlines At Athens, Zurich, Barcelona, And Faro

Published on December 12, 2025

Thousands of passengers have been left stranded across Europe as Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, France, and other countries cancel 220 flights and delay 1,393, creating widespread travel chaos. The disruptions, affecting major airlines like Ryanair, Air France, KLM, Swiss, and Lufthansa, have hit key airports including Athens, Zurich, Barcelona, and Faro. These delays and cancellations are the result of a combination of weather conditions, staffing shortages, and operational challenges, exacerbating the already complex travel environment during the busy winter season.

Europe experienced widespread disruptions in air travel yesterday, with a staggering 220 flight cancellations and 1,393 delays affecting passengers across numerous airports and airlines. The chaos left thousands of travelers stranded or delayed, with significant impacts on airports in Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, and France. Among the hardest-hit airlines were Ryanair, Air France, KLM, Swiss, and Lufthansa, which were forced to adjust schedules, causing even more travel headaches for their passengers. Let’s break down the events that contributed to this massive disruption.

The Impact on Airports

Airports across Europe were thrust into turmoil as airlines struggled to cope with cancellations and delays caused by a mix of operational challenges, weather disruptions, and a general strike in Portugal. The worst-hit locations included major travel hubs such as London Heathrow (LHR), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Athens International (ATH), Zurich (ZRH), and Barcelona International (BCN), where delays soared into the hundreds and flight cancellations compounded the frustration.

Portugal was particularly affected, with the general strike contributing to significant disruption at General Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) in Lisbon, Faro (FAO), and Porto (OPO). This strike led to cancelled flights, making an already challenging situation worse.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the airports affected by the disruptions:

As shown in the table, Lisbon’s General Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) took the brunt of the cancellations, with 44 flights cancelled, representing 15% of the day’s operations. Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris also saw significant delays, with 43% of its flights delayed, stranding many passengers.

Other major hubs, including London Heathrow (LHR) and Zurich (ZRH), also felt the weight of the disruptions, although they did not experience as high a percentage of cancellations as the airports in Portugal. However, delays continued to affect numerous travelers across Europe.

Airlines Affected by the Chaos

The disruptions were equally felt by some of the most well-known airlines in Europe, including easyJet, Air France, Lufthansa, and Ryanair. These airlines were responsible for much of the flight activity at the affected airports, and as a result, they had to handle a significant volume of complaints and rebooking requests.

Below is a look at the airlines affected by the massive disruptions:

The highest number of cancellations came from SATA Air Açores, with 21 cancellations, accounting for 53% of its flights that day. This was likely due to the weather and operational challenges affecting its fleet. Air France also had a particularly tough day, with 290 delays, which amounted to 42% of its flights being delayed.

easyJet, one of Europe’s major budget carriers, saw 30 cancellations and 268 delays, a significant percentage of its daily flights. Ryanair, too, felt the pressure, although its cancellation rate was lower, at 7, and its delays were concentrated at 233 flights.

Reasons Behind the Disruptions

A mix of factors caused this widespread disruption, including:

1. General Strike in Portugal: This strike significantly impacted airports in Portugal such as Lisbon, Porto, and Faro, resulting in cancellations that left passengers scrambling for alternatives.
2. Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions across Europe, including storms and fog, affected flight schedules, causing delays and cancellations. Notably, Charles de Gaulle and Zurich faced significant weather-related challenges.
3. Operational Challenges: Airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa reported operational difficulties, including crew shortages and technical problems, which compounded the disruptions across their fleets.
4. Other Factors: Various other challenges, such as air traffic control restrictions and airport infrastructure issues, added to the chaos in certain regions.

What Passengers Need to Know

For passengers affected by these disruptions, the advice is clear: always check for real-time updates before heading to the airport, as situations can change rapidly. Many of the affected airlines are offering rebooking options, but passengers should also be prepared for extended wait times and potential further delays. Airlines like easyJet and Ryanair have been particularly transparent, while Air France has also implemented flexible policies for rebooking.

Looking Ahead

Though the immediate effects of yesterday’s disruptions were severe, air traffic is expected to stabilize in the coming days as the weather improves and the effects of the general strike subside. However, travelers should remain vigilant and stay updated on their flight status.

Thousands of passengers are facing major disruptions as Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, France, and more cancel 220 flights and delay 1,393 due to a mix of weather conditions, staffing shortages, and operational issues. This has caused widespread chaos at airports like Athens, Zurich, Barcelona, and Faro, impacting major carriers such as Ryanair, Air France, KLM, Swiss, and Lufthansa.

The 220 flight cancellations and 1,393 delays across Europe on this chaotic day are a stark reminder of how quickly air travel can be impacted by a combination of operational challenges, weather disruptions, and strikes. Travelers in Europe should expect further delays in the coming days as the aviation industry works to recover from this widespread disruption.