Thousands of Travelers Isolated in Europe Today as Austria, Romania, France, UK, Spain Cancel 136 and Delay 2,042 New Flights Disrupting Lauda Europe, SAS, easyJet, KLM and More Airlines at Vienna, Bucharest, Paris, London, Tenerife and Others

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Thousands of travelers are left stranded across Europe as Austria, Romania, France, the UK, and Spain grapple with significant travel disruptions. Severe weather, including powerful snowstorms and heavy rainfall, has led to the cancellation of 136 flights and delays affecting over 2,000 others. This has left passengers on edge, particularly those flying with major carriers like Lauda Europe, SAS, easyJet, KLM, and others. Airports in Vienna, Bucharest, Paris, London, and Tenerife have been hit hardest, with travelers experiencing long delays, missed connections, and, in some cases, complete route shutdowns. Many passengers are facing extended waiting times or being forced to reschedule their plans.

The situation is exacerbated by limited alternative transport options, leaving passengers in a state of uncertainty. As storm Pedro continues to affect parts of Europe, it is clear that thousands of travelers will continue to experience disruption in the coming days.

Major Disruptions in Romania: Snowstorm Chaos

In Romania, a powerful storm swept across much of the south-east of the country, bringing blizzards and heavy snowfall. Bucharest, the country’s capital, saw 40cm of snow – far exceeding the average February snowfall of 11cm. The severe weather led to considerable disruptions across the region:

• Airports and Train Stations Affected: International airports were forced to close, while delays at Bucharest’s Gara de Nord railway station saw passengers waiting for hours to depart. Snow piled up in front of trains, and train services were delayed by up to six hours.
• Road Closures and Power Failures: Major routes into Bucharest were closed due to snow accumulation, while hundreds of trees and power lines collapsed under the weight of the snow. This left around 200,000 households without electricity.

Persistent Storms in France: Rainfall and Flooding

In France, Storm Pedro followed the path of Storm Nils, which had caused significant flooding and severe winds earlier. Although Pedro was less potent than other storms, it still brought wind gusts of over 70mph and 50mm of rain in some areas, further exacerbating the flooding in an already saturated country. The persistent wet winter has caused unprecedented flooding:

• Rivers at Capacity: The country’s rivers have been unable to cope with the continuous rainfall, and flood alerts have been in place for more than 30 consecutive days. Soil moisture is at its highest recorded levels since 1959, putting additional strain on drainage systems.
• Storm Nils Fatalities and Damages: Storm Nils claimed the lives of two people due to flooding and strong winds, further highlighting the severe weather conditions travelers are facing.

Airports and Airlines Affected

Europe’s major airports and airlines have been severely impacted by the ongoing storms. A review of the cancellation and delay data reveals significant disruptions at the following locations:

Airport Disruptions

• Vienna International (VIE) experienced 43 cancellations and 111 delays, making it one of the worst-hit airports.
• Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), despite fewer cancellations (11), had a high number of delays (171), causing major disruptions for passengers trying to connect across Europe.
• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) had 193 delays, and several other French airports were affected by flooding and reduced visibility due to heavy rainfall.
• London Heathrow (LHR) saw five cancellations and 133 delays, impacting travelers headed to and from the UK.

Airlines Affected

• Ryanair experienced the highest number of delays, with 343 reported, while Lauda Europe, a subsidiary of Ryanair, had 12 cancellations and 21 delays.
• easyJet, another major carrier in Europe, had one cancellation and 294 delays, highlighting the impact on low-cost carriers.
• Austrian Airlines, operating from Vienna, saw seven cancellations and 35 delays, affecting many European and international routes.
• Air France experienced four cancellations and 99 delays, primarily affecting domestic and European travel routes.

What Can Affected Passengers Do Now?

With travel disruptions ongoing across Europe, passengers should take the following steps:

• Check with Airlines for Updates: Passengers are advised to monitor the status of their flights or trains before heading to the airport or station. Many airlines are offering rebooking options or alternative flights in case of cancellations.
• Stay Informed on Local Weather Alerts: Travelers should remain updated on the weather conditions in their departure and arrival cities. Storm warnings and flood alerts may cause further disruptions.
• Consider Alternative Routes: For those facing long delays or cancellations, it may be worth exploring alternative routes or modes of transportation, such as buses or private transfers, especially in affected countries like Romania and France.
• Be Prepared for Extended Waiting Times: In places like Vienna and Bucharest, expect delays of up to six hours for trains and possible wait times at airports. Passengers are advised to carry snacks, water, and entertainment to make these extended waits more comfortable.

Total Delays and Cancellations

In total, the data reveals the following disruption figures across airports and airlines:

• Total Cancellations: 136 cancellations
• Total Delays: 2,042 delays

A Winter of Discontent for European Travelers

As Europe continues to battle extreme weather, travelers should prepare for ongoing delays and disruptions. Whether in Romania, France, or across the continent, the combination of heavy snowfall and persistent storms has caused severe disruptions in travel. With thousands of delays and hundreds of cancellations, passengers are urged to stay updated and flexible with their travel plans, as the situation remains fluid.

Source: Flightaware and affected airports