TTW
TTW

Thousands of Travelers Grounded across Europe as Netherlands, UK, France, Germany, Romania Face 117 Cancellations and 1821 Delays, Affecting KLM, Air France, easyJet, Wizz and More Airlines at Amsterdam, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Iași and More

Published on December 20, 2025

Europe travel

Thousands of travelers have been left stranded across Europe as severe travel disruptions continue to impact major airports and airlines. The Netherlands, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Romania are seeing significant cancellations and delays, with 117 cancellations and 1821 delays reported. Airlines including KLM, Air France, easyJet, and Wizz Air are facing widespread operational issues, leaving passengers frustrated. Major airports like Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Frankfurt are among the hardest-hit, with cities such as Iași also experiencing disruptions. The Netherlands is particularly affected, with the country facing a gray and misty weekend, according to weeronline. Dense fog this morning across central and northern provinces, along with light rain and drizzle expected in the south by afternoon, has worsened the conditions, compounding the delays. Travelers are scrambling for alternative options, as they face long wait times and uncertainty.

Travel Disruptions Across Europe: A Deep Dive into Cancellations and Delays

Travel disruptions have hit Europe, affecting thousands of passengers across major airports and airlines. The wave of cancellations and delays has raised concerns for travellers planning to fly in the coming weeks. European airports, cities, and airlines are experiencing a surge in disruptions, significantly impacting passenger schedules. Let’s take a closer look at the data and analyze the situation.

Total Cancellations and Delays Across Europe

According to the latest data, European airlines and airports have faced considerable flight delays and cancellations. In total, 117 cancellations and 1821 delays have been recorded across the continent. These figures highlight the scope of the disruption, with some airlines and airports facing particularly high numbers of cancellations and delays.

Affected Airports, Cities, and Countries

Several major European airports have been significantly impacted by these disruptions, with some airports seeing particularly high numbers of delays and cancellations.

Advertisement

Airports in the Netherlands, UK, France, Germany and More

Airports in the Netherlands, UK, France, and Germany have been the most affected. Amsterdam Schiphol in the Netherlands recorded the highest number of cancellations (71) and delays (540). London Heathrow, London Luton, and Manchester airports in the UK also saw considerable disruptions, with Heathrow alone recording 185 delays and 5 cancellations.

AirportCancellationsDelays
Amsterdam Schiphol, Netherlands (AMS)71540
Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany (BER)243
Birmingham, UK (BHX)477
Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH)4102
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)1115
Geneva, Switzerland (GVA)186
Iasi, Romania (IAS)26
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen, Turkey (SAW)2131
Leeds Bradford, UK (LBA)211
London Heathrow, UK (LHR)5185
London Luton, UK (LTN)249
Manchester, UK (MAN)3197
Paris Charles de Gaulle, France (CDG)8269
Skopje, North Macedonia (SKP)48
Suceava, Romania (SCV)31
Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina (TZL)31

Affected Airlines: Europe’s Major Carriers in the Spotlight

Among the major European airlines, KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) and Air France have experienced some of the most significant disruptions. KLM, based in the Netherlands, faced 54 cancellations and 280 delays, while Air France recorded 11 cancellations and 147 delays. Other affected airlines include easyJet, British Airways, and Wizz Air.

Advertisement

AirlineCancellationsDelays
KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) – Netherlands54280
KLM Cityhopper – Netherlands42
Air France – France11147
British Airways – UK277
easyJet – UK1488
BA CityFlyer – UK111
Aer Lingus UK – UK (Subsidiary of IAG)12
Emerald Airlines UK – UK19
Wizz Air Malta – Malta6101
Wizz Air – Hungary (Mainline)4112
Wizz Air UK – UK213
Lufthansa Cityline – Germany136
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) – Sweden/Norway/Denmark243
Olympic Air – Greece221
Virgin Atlantic – UK213
German Airways – Germany420
Helvetic Airways – Switzerland17

Analysis: What’s Behind the Disruptions?

The surge in cancellations and delays across European airports can be attributed to a combination of factors. Weather-related disruptions, staffing shortages, and ongoing air traffic control delays have all contributed to the chaos. Airports like Amsterdam Schiphol and London Heathrow, both major international hubs, are struggling to handle the volume of flights, especially during peak travel seasons.

Airlines such as easyJet, Wizz Air, and KLM have reported significant delays, many of which are linked to operational difficulties and airspace congestion. EasyJet’s 488 delays stand out as particularly high, indicating an ongoing challenge for the airline in managing its flights effectively.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For those whose flights have been affected by these disruptions, there are several steps that can be taken:

  1. Stay Updated: Passengers should check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights. Many airlines offer real-time notifications about cancellations and delays via apps, websites, and customer service.
  2. Know Your Rights: In the event of cancellations, passengers may be entitled to compensation under European Union regulations, particularly if the cancellation is within the airline’s control. Those facing delays of more than three hours may also be entitled to compensation or meal vouchers.
  3. Consider Alternative Travel Options: For passengers stranded due to cancellations, consider exploring alternative travel options such as trains, buses, or other nearby airports with fewer delays.
  4. Plan for Extended Travel Times: With significant delays, travellers are advised to allow extra time at the airport for check-in, security, and boarding processes.
  5. Contact Customer Service: If flights are cancelled or significantly delayed, passengers should immediately contact the airline’s customer service for assistance with rebooking or refunds.

Conclusion: The Ripple Effects of Travel Disruptions

The travel disruptions across Europe are a reminder of how vulnerable air travel can be to operational challenges, especially during high-traffic periods. With over 117 cancellations and 1821 delays, the impact on passengers has been profound. While some airports and airlines continue to struggle with the ongoing disruptions, passengers can mitigate some of the stress by staying informed, knowing their rights, and considering alternative options. For those planning to travel in the near future, keeping a close eye on flight statuses and being prepared for potential delays is key to minimizing disruptions.

Source: FlightAware and Affected Airports

Advertisement

Share On:

PARTNERS

@

Subscribe to our Newsletters

I want to receive travel news and trade event updates from Travel And Tour World. I have read Travel And Tour World's Privacy Notice .