Published on
November 27, 2025
Thousands of passengers are stranded across Europe as Ryanair, Vueling, Air France, KLM, British, and others face 199 cancellations and 4,217 delays across major airports like Dublin, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, and more, caused by weather and staffing issues. The chaos began to unfold as airlines struggled to maintain their schedules amidst severe winter weather, including heavy snowfalls and reduced visibility, which affected flight operations. Additionally, long-standing staffing shortages, exacerbated by high demand during the peak travel season, further contributed to the widespread disruptions. Passengers have faced long hours at airports, many unable to find alternative flights as the ripple effect of delayed and canceled flights spread across the continent. With major hubs like London Heathrow, Barcelona, and Helsinki-Vantaa also impacted, the effects have rippled far beyond the initial airports, stranding travelers and causing frustration on an unprecedented scale.
Cancellations and Delays by European Airlines
The data highlights cancellations and delays across European airlines, with a total of 199 incidents and 4,217 delays/cancellations. Ryanair leads with 69 cancellations, while Waltzing Matilda Aviation follows with 12. Air France stands out with a high 42% delay rate. Other notable carriers include Vueling and Buzz with significant delays. These disruptions underline the need for operational improvements in the industry.
Airline NameCount%Number%Ryanair (Ireland)695%15712%Finnair (Finland)134%9831%Waltzing Matilda Aviation (US/Europe)120%61921%Vueling Airlines (Spain)81%14722%Cityjet (Ireland)76%2422%KLM (Netherlands)60%18527%SAS (Scandinavia)61%11215%Iberia (Spain)51%6911%Air Baltic (Latvia)52%3418%Air France (France)45%3042%FlyDubai (UAE)30%43913%HOP! (France)30%12619%BA CityFlyer (UK)30%10528%Buzz (Poland, Ryanair Group)31%7236%Austrian Airlines (Austria)22%15517%Scandinavian Airlines Ireland22%15216%Aer Lingus (Ireland)21%6620%Lufthansa (Germany)21%5714%British Airways (UK)10%31927%Air Do (Japan)91%10915%Vueling Airlines (Spain)91%346%XiamenAir (China)81%14722%Cityjet (Ireland)80%13917%Total199–4,217–Cancellations and Delays by European Airports (First Dataset)
This table shows cancellations and delays at major European airports. Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) leads with 44% cancellations, while Vilnius International (VNO) has the highest delay rate at 36%. London Heathrow (LHR) and Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) also experience notable delays. These disruptions reveal the challenges faced by European airports, especially during peak travel periods.Airport Name (IATA Code)Cancelled #Cancelled %Delayed #Delayed %Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) (Belgium)3744%00%Brussels (BRU) (Belgium)2910%62%Vilnius Int’l (VNO) (Lithuania)714%1736%London Heathrow (LHR) (United Kingdom)50%13620%Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) (Finland)52%6227%Barcelona Int’l (BCN) (Spain)41%5012%Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL) (Norway)41%3910%Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) (Netherlands)30%18226%Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (CDG) (France)30%12720%General Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) (Portugal)31%7526%Alicante (ALC) (Spain)32%2421%Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) (Spain)20%9315%
Cancellations and Delays by European Airports (Updated Data)
The updated data reveals higher cancellation rates, with Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) at 52%. Vilnius International (VNO) shows a 10% cancellation rate, while airports like Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) experience significant delays. These disruptions emphasize the ongoing challenges that airports across Europe face in managing passenger flows and minimizing delays.
Airport Name (IATA Code)Cancelled #Cancelled %Delayed #Delayed %Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) (Belgium)4652%11%Brussels (BRU) (Belgium)93%228%London Heathrow (LHR) (United Kingdom)81%7311%Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) (Finland)83%6027%Copenhagen (CPH) (Denmark)61%6616%Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) (Netherlands)50%16525%Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) (Spain)50%5910%Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL) (Norway)51%4412%Vilnius Int’l (VNO) (Lithuania)510%817%Athens Int’l, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) (Greece)41%9630%Barcelona Int’l (BCN) (Spain)41%338%Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (CDG) (France)30%7812%Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN) (Sweden)30%4814%Dublin Int’l (DUB) (Ireland)31%3814%
Thousands of passengers are stranded across Europe as Ryanair, Vueling, Air France, KLM, British Airways, and others face 199 cancellations and 4,217 delays across major airports like Dublin, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, and more, caused by weather and staffing issues.
Conclusion
Thousands of passengers remain stranded across Europe as Ryanair, Vueling, Air France, KLM, British Airways, and others face 199 cancellations and 4,217 delays at major airports like Dublin, Madrid, Paris, and Amsterdam. These disruptions, caused by weather and staffing issues, have created widespread chaos, affecting numerous destinations. The ongoing challenges highlight the urgent need for operational improvements in the aviation industry, especially to address the combined impact of adverse conditions and staffing shortages, which continue to affect travelers across Europe’s busiest travel hubs.
