Travel Chaos Across Europe as Lufthansa, Air Baltic, KLM, Finnair, Brussels, and More Cancel 61 Flights and Delay 1089 in Norway, Denmark, France, Finland, Belgium, Germany, and Other Destinations

Published on November 23, 2025

By: Rana Pratap

Travel Chaos Across Europe as Lufthansa, Air Baltic, KLM, Finnair, Brussels, and More Cancel 61 Flights and Delay 1,089 in Norway, Denmark, France, Finland, Belgium, Germany, and Other Destinations due to a combination of severe weather disruptions, staffing shortages, and overwhelming passenger demand. The widespread disruptions affected major airports across Europe, leaving thousands of travelers stranded or facing lengthy delays. Flights were grounded or delayed for hours, with airlines such as Lufthansa, Air Baltic, KLM, and Finnair bearing the brunt of the chaos. As airports scrambled to accommodate the overflow of frustrated passengers, the ripple effects of the delays spread across several countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, and Scandinavia, exacerbating the already stressful holiday travel period.

The skies over Europe were anything but clear yesterday as thousands of passengers faced major disruptions to their travel plans. In a chaotic turn of events, 61 flights were cancelled, and over 1,000 more were delayed, leading to widespread turmoil at some of the continent’s busiest airports. From the bustling terminals of Paris Charles de Gaulle to the strategic hubs in Amsterdam and Frankfurt, airlines such as Lufthansa, Air Baltic, KLM, Finnair, Brussels Airlines, and more were affected, causing severe inconvenience for travelers. This disruption spanned countries including France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and others across northern Europe.

In this article, we’ll dive into the details of this massive disruption, exploring the impact on airports, airlines, and the travelers who were left stranded or severely delayed.

The Scope of the Disruption

According to the latest data, the total number of cancellations across Europe yesterday reached 61, with an even more staggering 1,089 delays recorded. The situation was particularly dire in major European cities like Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, where numerous flights were grounded or faced significant delays.

This widespread disruption has left passengers scrambling for alternative routes, trying to salvage their travel plans amidst limited options. The European air travel industry has been dealing with challenges related to weather, staffing shortages, and logistical hurdles. However, these recent delays and cancellations seem to be particularly compounded by an overload in passenger demand, especially with the onset of the winter travel season.

The situation affected multiple airports, including those serving as international gateways like Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Frankfurt International (FRA), and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). Let’s explore the individual statistics and their impact on passengers.

Airport-by-Airport Breakdown

1. Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris
Charles de Gaulle, one of Europe’s busiest airports, experienced significant disruption yesterday. A total of 15 flights were cancelled, which, though relatively small in number, accounted for 2% of its scheduled flights. However, the real issue was the staggering 439 delayed flights, making up 73% of the airport’s total flight operations for the day. This caused massive queues at check-in counters, security, and baggage claim, as passengers scrambled to rebook and get clarity on their new travel times.

2. Nantes Atlantique (NTE)
Nantes, a regional airport in western France, wasn’t spared either. Though the disruption was comparatively milder, the airport still saw 2 cancellations (representing 3% of flights). In addition, 10 flights were delayed, which accounted for 18% of the airport’s daily flights. Travelers headed to and from Nantes faced delays ranging from a few hours to a complete reshuffling of their travel schedules.

3. Bordeaux-Merignac (BOD)
In Bordeaux, there were also 2 flight cancellations, comprising 3% of its operations, and 10 flights were delayed (19%). While the delays at BOD weren’t as severe as those at CDG or FRA, passengers still faced frustrating waits and uncertainty, leading to disruptions throughout the day.

4. Paris Orly (ORY)
Orly Airport, another major Parisian hub, witnessed 1 cancellation, a negligible 0% of its flights. However, 98 flights were delayed (43%), adding to the frustrations of those traveling through Paris. The delays ranged from short intervals to extended waiting periods, causing some passengers to miss connecting flights.

5. Frankfurt International (FRA)
Frankfurt, Europe’s financial center and a key global travel hub, saw 3 flight cancellations (0%) but a staggering 255 delayed flights, accounting for 41% of its total scheduled flights. The high delay rate in Frankfurt triggered an overflow of passengers in the terminal, with long lines and confusion over rebooking and compensation policies.

6. Munich International (MUC)
Munich, another key airport in Germany, experienced 2 cancellations (0%) and 93 delays, or 24% of flights. Passengers traveling through Munich were not only faced with the challenge of navigating an already busy airport but also had to adjust their plans as multiple flights were held up.

7. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Schiphol in the Netherlands, one of Europe’s busiest airports, was severely impacted by this chaos, with 11 cancellations (1%) and 155 delays (24%). As one of the major connecting airports for international flights, these delays created a ripple effect, impacting flights across Europe and beyond.

8. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD)
Madrid-Barajas, Spain’s busiest airport, saw 1 cancellation (0%) and 123 delayed flights (19%), which led to growing frustration among passengers, particularly those bound for other European capitals.

9. Gran Canaria International (LPA)
Gran Canaria, located in the Canary Islands, also faced 1 cancellation (0%) and 110 delays (34%), which greatly disrupted the schedules of passengers traveling to and from this popular vacation destination.

10. Zurich Kloten (ZRH)
In Switzerland, Zurich Kloten Airport reported 2 cancellations (0%) and 74 delays, representing 22% of its flights. Though delays were not as severe as other airports, the impact was still felt among passengers trying to catch connecting flights.

11. Geneva Cointrin International (GVA)
Geneva’s Cointrin International also experienced 2 cancellations (1%) and 22 delays (14%). This comparatively lower number of delays allowed passengers to adjust with fewer disruptions compared to larger airports.

12. London Heathrow (LHR)
London Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports, saw 4 cancellations (0%) and 142 delays (22%). Though delays weren’t as severe in comparison to others like Charles de Gaulle or Frankfurt, they still caused considerable frustration for travelers with tight schedules.

13. Manchester (MAN)
Manchester, a major UK airport, reported 2 cancellations (0%) and 50 delays (19%). This added to the ripple effect across the UK’s travel system, causing some cancellations to domestic flights as well.

14. Brussels (BRU)
Brussels Airport faced 3 cancellations (1%) and 54 delays (24%). As the capital city of Belgium, the delays affected numerous international and regional flights, leaving many passengers stranded at the terminal.

15. Copenhagen (CPH)
Copenhagen, Denmark’s main international gateway, had 2 cancellations (0%) and 54 delays (15%). These delays caused disruptions to both short-haul and long-haul travelers heading to destinations across Europe and beyond.

16. Malpensa International (MXP)
Milan’s Malpensa International Airport saw 2 cancellations (0%) and 52 delays (17%). With ongoing delays, passengers had to make adjustments to their travel plans, including long waits at check-in counters and gate areas.

17. Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ)
Bologna reported 2 cancellations (1%) and 27 delays (20%). Although the airport’s operations were less severely impacted than larger hubs, the disruptions still caused frustration for those looking to travel from Italy’s northern region.

18. Oslo Gardermoen (OSL)
Oslo, Norway’s primary airport, was less affected, but still experienced 2 cancellations (0%) and 20 delays (9%). As the airport struggled to maintain its regular schedule, passengers found themselves coping with the inconvenience of delayed flights.

Airline-by-Airline Breakdown

The situation was not just limited to specific airports; airlines across Europe were hit hard as well. Major carriers such as Lufthansa, KLM, Finnair, and Air Baltic faced high levels of cancellations and delays, impacting their operations and tarnishing their reputations for the day.

Travel Chaos Across Europe as Lufthansa, Air Baltic, KLM, Finnair, Brussels, and More Cancel 61 Flights and Delay 1,089 in Norway, Denmark, France, Finland, Belgium, Germany, and Other Destinations due to severe weather conditions and staffing shortages. These disruptions have left thousands of passengers stranded, causing widespread delays at major airports across Europe.

The widespread flight cancellations and delays across Europe caused by several airlines and airports have left thousands of travelers stranded and frustrated. Whether flying out of major hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle or Amsterdam Schiphol, or from regional airports in cities like Bordeaux or Nantes, the impact was significant. With airlines such as Lufthansa, KLM, Air Baltic, and Finnair at the forefront of these disruptions, many passengers have been left scrambling for alternative options. This event highlights the vulnerability of Europe’s air travel infrastructure, especially during peak travel times, and serves as a reminder of the challenges the aviation industry faces in keeping operations smooth. Travelers should stay updated on flight statuses and explore rebooking options to minimize disruption in the days ahead.