Published on
December 29, 2025
Thousands of passengers were isolated across Europe as Hungary, Switzerland, Malta, Portugal, France, and other countries faced 113 flight cancellations and 1,828 delays, affecting travelers from major airlines like Air France, Swiss, KLM, and EasyJet. The widespread disruptions, caused by a combination of winter weather conditions, air traffic control, and operational challenges, resulted in chaos at key airports like Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam, leaving many passengers stranded during the peak holiday travel period. These significant disruptions were felt across major European hubs, including Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam, where thousands of travelers experienced long delays and cancellations. Airlines such as Air France, Swiss, KLM, and EasyJet struggled to maintain regular schedules, further complicating travel plans for those hoping to reach their destinations. The combination of adverse weather, strikes, and overcrowded airports during the festive season created a perfect storm for travelers, amplifying frustrations and leaving many stranded for hours.
In a major disruption to air travel across Europe, over 100 flights were cancelled and thousands of others delayed, leaving passengers stranded at multiple airports. The extensive delays, spanning several key hubs, impacted airlines such as Air France, Swiss, KLM, EasyJet, and more. Major European cities like Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam saw widespread disruptions, making it one of the most chaotic travel days in recent memory.
Flight Cancellations and Delays: An Overview of the European Chaos
On the 28th of December, 2025, a storm of flight disruptions hit Europe, as a combination of weather conditions, air traffic control issues, and strikes led to the cancellation of 113 flights and the delay of 1,828 others across multiple countries. Passengers heading to or from airports in Hungary, Switzerland, Malta, Portugal, France, and other countries were hit hard, with many stranded for several hours and left scrambling for alternative travel options.
Airports Across Europe Struggle to Handle the Disruptions
Several key airports were affected by this wave of cancellations and delays, with some airports seeing a higher percentage of delays than others. Below is a breakdown of the affected airports and their respective cancellations and delays:
Cancelled #%Delayed #%Airport62%9237%Brussels (BRU)72%7328%Brussels (BRU)40%7417%Copenhagen (CPH)40%10122%Copenhagen (CPH)40%22433%Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (CDG)91%19329%Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (CDG)927%824%Dortmund (DTM)30%12421%Frankfurt Int’l (FRA)182%20128%Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)243%16224%Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)30%9524%Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL)41%11230%Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL)412%1443%Ponta Delgada Joao Paulo II (PDL)41%10229%Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN)50%9814%London Heathrow (LHR)50%15522%London Heathrow (LHR)
As shown in the table, airports in major European hubs like Brussels, Paris (CDG), Amsterdam Schiphol, and London Heathrow saw significant disruptions, with delays affecting a large portion of flights. Meanwhile, smaller airports like Ponta Delgada (PDL) in Portugal also saw a higher-than-usual number of cancellations.
Impacted Airlines: A Broad Spectrum of Disruptions
Airlines flying within and outside of Europe were also severely impacted by the disruptions. Notable carriers like Air France, Swiss, KLM, EasyJet, and Brussels Airlines had to deal with multiple cancellations and delays, affecting their schedules and the traveling public. Here’s a look at the airlines involved in the massive disruptions:
Cancelled #%Delayed #%Airline178%6732%Brussels Airlines30%15347%Finnair111%20331%Air France21%3723%HOP!49%1329%German Airways50%17830%Wizz Air53%2716%Scandinavian Airlines Ireland41%3115%Aer Lingus50%12719%Wizz Air Malta294%16725%KLM41%7628%Norwegian Air Shuttle819%1536%SATA Air Açores30%15824%Vueling Airlines40%11422%SAS20%7328%Norwegian Air Sweden20%7829%Swiss90%61234%easyJet
Among the airlines, easyJet bore the brunt of the delays, with 612 delayed flights, impacting 34% of their scheduled services. KLM also faced challenges, with 29 cancellations and 167 delays affecting 25% of their operations. Air France, Swiss, and Brussels Airlines were similarly impacted, with Finnair and Wizz Air seeing notable delays as well.
Why Were There So Many Cancellations and Delays?
The reasons for these disruptions were multi-faceted. Among the most prominent factors contributing to this massive disruption were:
Weather Conditions: Winter storms across parts of Europe led to visibility issues and icy conditions, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.
Air Traffic Control Strikes: In some regions, air traffic control personnel went on strike, which caused significant delays as air traffic management became strained.
High Demand Amid Holiday Travel: With the holiday season at its peak, airports were already operating at full capacity. As airlines struggled to cope with increased passenger traffic, delays and cancellations inevitably became widespread.
Operational Challenges: Airlines experienced logistical difficulties, particularly around crew scheduling and aircraft maintenance, adding further delays to their operations.
What Does This Mean for Travelers?
For travelers across Europe, this was an extremely frustrating day. With hundreds of flights affected, many passengers found themselves stuck at airports, facing lengthy delays or last-minute cancellations. While some managed to rebook or switch to alternative transportation, others had to deal with the stress of finding new flights or accommodations.
In the aftermath, airports and airlines have promised to compensate affected travelers in accordance with European Union regulations. Additionally, many airlines are reviewing their operations to mitigate the risk of future disruptions during the holiday season.
How Can Passengers Prepare for Similar Situations?
Stay Updated: Always check the status of your flight before heading to the airport and stay informed about potential disruptions.
Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with passenger rights in case of delays or cancellations, especially within the EU.
Book Travel Insurance: For long-haul flights, especially during busy travel seasons, consider getting travel insurance that covers delays and cancellations.
Alternative Routes: If your flight is canceled, explore other transportation options, including trains or buses, to your destination.
Thousands of passengers were isolated across Europe as 113 flights were canceled and 1,828 delayed, with disruptions caused by winter weather, air traffic control, and operational issues. These delays and cancellations impacted travelers from airlines like Air France, Swiss, KLM, and EasyJet, causing chaos at airports in cities like Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam during the peak holiday travel period.
This disruption is a stark reminder of the challenges that travelers face during the busy holiday period. With multiple airlines and airports impacted by a combination of weather, strikes, and operational difficulties, the ripple effect spread throughout Europe, causing widespread frustration. While airlines and airports continue to improve their resilience to such events, passengers must remain vigilant and prepared for such disruptions in the future.
