Published on
September 24, 2025
On September 24, 2025, airBaltic, a leading European airline, announced the cancellation of four key flights, impacting travel between Belgium, Italy and Spain. These disruptions have affected major cities such as Brussels, Milan and Barcelona, causing frustration for countless passengers. According to recent data from FlightAware, airBaltic’s disruption include 4 flight cancellations and 89 delays. Brussels, the political heart of Belgium, is closely connected to both Milan and Barcelona through airBaltic, making these cancellations especially disruptive for business and leisure travelers. Milan, Italy’s vibrant fashion capital and Barcelona, Spain’s cultural hub, are both critical travel destinations. The affected flights have left passengers scrambling for alternatives, affecting not only individual travel plans but also local tourism economies in Belgium, Italy and Spain. This ongoing disruption serves as a reminder of how interconnected Europe’s travel network is and how cancellations can ripple through entire regions.
Affected Flights
airBaltic has canceled 4 flights in total, all of which were scheduled to operate between major cities in Belgium, Italy and Spain. The canceled flights were as follows:
BTI3153: Brussels (BRU / EBBR) to Malpensa International Airport in Milan (MXP / LIMC), scheduled for Wednesday at 06:30 AM CEST.BTI3154: Malpensa International Airport in Milan (MXP / LIMC) to Brussels (BRU / EBBR), scheduled for Wednesday at 08:45 AM CEST.BTI3697: Brussels (BRU / EBBR) to Barcelona International Airport (BCN / LEBL), scheduled for Wednesday at 09:45 AM CEST.BTI3698: Barcelona International Airport (BCN / LEBL) to Brussels (BRU / EBBR), scheduled for Wednesday at 12:35 PM CEST.Affected Routes
The canceled airBaltic flights involved key international routes connecting major European cities. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a hub for airBaltic, serving as an essential point for international travel. Milan, Italy’s fashion capital and Barcelona, Spain’s vibrant cultural center, are both popular destinations with high volumes of air traffic. By cutting these specific routes, airBaltic has disrupted travel for those looking to fly between Brussels, Milan and Barcelona, which are essential links within the European travel network.
These cancellations come at a time when many travelers rely on airBaltic to navigate between these cities, which are not only vital commercial centers but also major tourist destinations. With Milan and Barcelona known for their cultural significance and Brussels for its political importance within the European Union, airBaltic’s actions have affected more than just the daily business traveler.
Delays
Alongside the flight cancellations, airBaltic reported a substantial number of delays across its network, affecting passengers traveling to and from Brussels, Milan and Barcelona. A total of 89 delays were reported, representing 36% of the flights affected. Although the cancellations themselves are a direct inconvenience, the delays have compounded the overall travel disruption, leaving many passengers in limbo. These delays are particularly troubling during peak travel seasons, where the demand for flights is high.
Affected Airports
The airports in Brussels, Milan and Barcelona have borne the brunt of airBaltic’s flight cancellations.
Brussels Airport (BRU / EBBR): Brussels is not only Belgium’s capital but also a key aviation hub. This airport handles significant traffic, both for business and leisure travelers. The cancellations from Brussels have disrupted many passengers’ travel plans, causing a ripple effect across connecting flights.Malpensa International Airport (MXP / LIMC): Milan’s primary international airport, Malpensa, is crucial for flights connecting Italy with various European cities. With airBaltic’s cancellation of flights to and from Brussels, travelers have had to look for alternatives, often resulting in longer and more expensive journeys.Barcelona International Airport (BCN / LEBL): As one of Spain’s busiest airports, Barcelona’s international terminal plays a pivotal role in both business and tourism sectors. The loss of airBaltic flights from Barcelona has affected travelers who rely on seamless connections between Spain and other European destinations.
Brussels, Milan and Barcelona are all major tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors annually for their rich culture, history and business opportunities. The cancellations of airBaltic flights might have a noticeable effect on local tourism in Belgium, Italy and Spain.
In Belgium, Brussels serves as the political and cultural heart of Europe, with numerous visitors traveling for both leisure and business. The cancellation of airBaltic’s flights to Brussels could lead to a drop in both leisure and corporate tourism, affecting local hotels, restaurants and other tourist-related services.
Italy, with Milan as a global fashion and design hub, is equally reliant on international tourism. The disruption caused by airBaltic’s cancellations may cause some international visitors to rethink their travel plans, opting instead for alternative airports or even changing their entire itinerary. This could lead to a reduction in the volume of tourists visiting Milan, impacting the broader Italian economy, which heavily depends on tourism revenue.
Similarly, Spain‘s tourism sector could face short-term setbacks due to disruptions at Barcelona International Airport. Barcelona is a major draw for travelers worldwide and flight cancellations, particularly during high tourist season, can lead to lost revenue for the local tourism industry, including hotel bookings, sightseeing tours and local businesses.
Passengers whose flights have been canceled by airBaltic should take immediate action to mitigate the inconvenience. While airBaltic has yet to announce detailed rebooking procedures, passengers should first check with the airline for options regarding refunds or rebooking onto alternative flights. Many airlines, including airBaltic, offer compensation for canceled flights under European Union regulations, depending on the circumstances.
Affected travelers should also consider alternative routes through other carriers, though this may require flexibility with dates and travel plans. To minimize further disruptions, passengers are advised to stay updated on flight status through airBaltic’s website or mobile app and to contact the airline’s customer service department for assistance.
For those traveling for leisure, exploring alternative transportation options such as trains or buses could be a viable option, especially for routes within Europe. For business travelers, rearranging schedules and meetings may be necessary to accommodate the changes.
In conclusion, the flight cancellations on 24th September, by airBaltic, affecting Brussels, Milan and Barcelona, have caused significant disruption for travelers. This information, sourced from FlightAware data, highlights the ripple effect of such cancellations on both passengers and local economies in Belgium, Italy and Spain, stressing the interconnected nature of European travel.
Image Credit- airBaltic
