Home » Airlines News of Europe » Thousands of New Flights Cancelled in Europe as Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Turkey Face Massive Travel Chaos Disrupting Lufthansa, Ryanair, EasyJet, Air France, Pegasus and More Airlines at Frankfurt, Brussels, Paris, Milan, Istanbul and Beyond
Published on
March 13, 2026
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Thousands of flights have been cancelled across Europe, causing massive travel chaos in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, and Turkey. Major airports, including Frankfurt, Brussels, Paris, Milan, and Istanbul, are experiencing widespread disruptions, affecting travelers across the continent. Lufthansa, Ryanair, EasyJet, Air France, and Pegasus Airlines are among the most impacted airlines, with operations severely limited due to strikes and geopolitical tensions. Passengers are facing unprecedented delays, rebookings, and cancellations as these issues continue to escalate. In Germany, Belgium, and France, labor strikes have grounded flights, while airspace closures in Turkey and other parts of Europe further complicate travel. With so many cities affected, travelers are urged to check their flight status regularly and explore alternative transport options, as the situation is expected to persist in the coming days.
Total Delays and Cancellations Across Europe
As of today, European airports are seeing substantial impacts on air traffic, with 1,489 cancellations and 2,270 delays across the continent. Travelers are urged to check flight statuses and make contingency plans for possible changes to their journeys.
Notable Affected AirportsFrankfurt International Airport (FRA): The busiest hub in Germany is dealing with 381 cancellations and 82 delays. This major airport, one of Europe’s largest, is a focal point for disruptions, with ongoing strikes adding stress to an already packed schedule.Munich International Airport (MUC): Another significant German hub facing 210 cancellations and 56 delays, exacerbated by strike actions affecting Lufthansa and its subsidiaries.Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS): While Schiphol is seeing 30 cancellations and 162 delays, the sheer volume of passengers passing through this hub means even minor disruptions are amplified across Europe.Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris: With 22 cancellations and 152 delays, Paris’s primary international gateway is operating under pressure.Brussels Airport (BRU): The airport is facing a major disruption on March 12, with no departures due to a nationwide strike in Belgium, affecting key airport services such as security and ground handling.
These disruptions are not limited to flight cancellations. Public transport services around Brussels are also significantly impacted due to the NMBS/SNCB rail operator and De Lijn transit strike, further complicating travel to and from the airport.
Europe Travel Chaos: Strikes, Grounded Flights & Major Disruptions
Passengers flying through Europe this week should brace for significant travel disruption. Industrial action and geopolitical conflict are combining to wreak havoc on airline schedules, with major airport strikes coinciding with Middle East airspace closures that ripple into European operations.
Nationwide Strike Grounds Brussels Flights
A 24‑hour national strike in Belgium on 12 March shut down departing passenger services at Brussels Airport (BRU) and significantly affected Brussels South Charleroi (CRL). The strike forced cancellation of all outbound flights and impacted arrivals, rail, tram and bus links, stranding holidaymakers and business travellers alike.
Lufthansa Pilots Launch 48‑Hour Strike Across Europe
On 12–13 March, pilots at Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo and CityLine took industrial action over pension disputes, grounding hundreds of flights at key German hubs including Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC). Airlines slashed schedules and scrambled alternative timetables as travellers faced rebookings, delays and missed connections.
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The airline says it aims to operate over half of its flights, but union and industry reports suggest many planes remain grounded throughout the strike, amplifying backlog pressures at major European gateways.
Italy Strike Threatens Further Disruption on 18 March
Looking ahead, Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport data indicates planned walkouts by handling staff and easyJet crews at Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Milan Linate (LIN) on 18 March, potentially triggering further delays and cancellations in northern Italy.
Middle East Conflict: A Major Secondary Driver of Flight Chaos
The ongoing US‑Israel‑Iran war continues to severely disrupt air travel beyond the combat zone, affecting European schedules through airspace closures, rerouted flights, and cascading delays.
Airspace Closures and Massive Flight Cancellations
Airspace over much of the Gulf region — including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha — was closed after intense military strikes, forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights and reroute others. These closures have caused widespread knock‑on disruption for Europe‑bound and Europe‑originating flights, with carriers adjusting schedules and facing crew imbalances.
Airlines and Countries AffectedLufthansa and Other German AirlinesLufthansa (Germany) is one of the most affected airlines with 473 cancellations and 35 delays. This is largely due to an ongoing pilot strike at Lufthansa and its subsidiaries. Passengers flying Lufthansa are being advised to rebook flights or take Deutsche Bahn trains where available. The disruption is compounded by the strike action by pilots from Lufthansa CityLine and Lufthansa Cargo.Lufthansa CityLine (Germany) also recorded 97 cancellations and 2 delays. The strike, initially affecting long-haul and domestic flights, has led to a reduction in available service across Europe.Ryanair and EasyJetRyanair (Ireland), a low-cost carrier, is heavily impacted with 111 cancellations and 163 delays. As one of Europe’s most prolific airlines, Ryanair’s service to European cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome has been heavily impacted.EasyJet (UK) has reported 7 cancellations and 210 delays, showing the strain on low-cost carriers, especially on UK to European routes.French, Italian, and Other Affected AirlinesAir France (France) recorded 8 cancellations and 64 delays, while Vueling Airlines (Spain) faced 4 cancellations and 38 delays. Both airlines, while not the largest offenders, are still contributing to the overall travel disruptions, especially in high-traffic airports like Barcelona and Paris.Pegasus Airlines (Turkey) and Turkish Airlines (Turkey) have had 10 cancellations and 81 delays, largely affecting routes between Turkey, Germany, and France.What Affected Passengers Can Do Now
If you’re flying through Europe over the next week, here are a few key actions to take in response to the widespread disruptions:
1. Check Your Flight Status Regularly
Airlines like Lufthansa, Ryanair, and EasyJet are actively updating passengers on their flight status. Make sure to stay connected with your airline via their official website or mobile app for real-time updates on cancellations and delays.
2. Rebooking and Refund Options
Many airlines, including Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, are offering free rebookings for passengers who booked flights on or before March 10 for travel through March 23. Additionally, refund options are available for those affected by flight cancellations, but passengers should be aware of possible delays in processing requests.
3. Alternative Routes and Ground Transportation
Given the ongoing rail disruptions in Belgium and Germany, passengers flying with Lufthansa are advised to take Deutsche Bahn trains to nearby cities like Amsterdam, Brussels, and Zurich. Many other major airports are offering substitute ground transportation during the strikes, so passengers should check for available train or bus connections.
4. Allow Extra Time for Travel
With ongoing disruptions in both air and ground transportation, travelers should plan for extended waiting times at airports. Be prepared for increased security checks and longer than usual boarding procedures.
5. Stay Informed of Local Strikes
Further strikes are expected to hit Italy on March 18, with airport workers in Milan set to walk out. If you’re traveling through Milan or other Italian hubs, keep checking for updates.
Plan Ahead and Stay Updated
The next few days in Europe could bring significant travel challenges as airport strikes and international tensions cause widespread disruptions. Passengers are advised to be proactive in managing their travel plans by checking flight statuses regularly and considering alternative transport options. With over 1,400 cancellations and 2,270 delays across Europe, it’s crucial to stay prepared for unexpected delays and changes to your travel itinerary.
Source: FlightAware
