Home » AIRLINE NEWS » SAS, Air France, Emirates, TAP Air Portugal, KLM, And Other Airlines Trigger Major Travel Mayhem With 368 Delays And Nine Cancellations At Copenhagen Airport, Stranding Heathrow, Vilnius, Berlin, Hamburg, And More
Published on
January 31, 2026
SAS, Air France, Emirates, TAP Air Portugal, KLM, and several other major airlines triggered a wave of travel mayhem at Copenhagen Airport, leading to a staggering 368 flight delays and 9 cancellations. The disruptions, caused by a mix of operational challenges and unforeseen circumstances, wreaked havoc on passengers traveling to major European hubs like Heathrow, Vilnius, Berlin, and Hamburg. The extensive delays and cancellations not only left thousands stranded but also caused ripple effects across Europe’s busiest airports, creating chaos for travelers trying to reach their destinations.
The travel industry faced significant disruption at Copenhagen Airport (EKCH) as a series of flight delays and cancellations hit hard, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or forced to change their travel plans. On the previous day alone, a staggering 368 flights were delayed, and 9 flights were cancelled, creating a ripple effect across major European hubs such as Heathrow, Vilnius, Berlin, Hamburg, and more.
A Chaotic Day for Copenhagen Airport: Flight Delays and Cancellations
Copenhagen Airport, a key transport hub in Northern Europe, was thrown into chaos as multiple airlines suffered delays and cancellations. Major carriers, including SAS, Air France, Emirates, TAP Air Portugal, and KLM, were among those affected, impacting travel to and from several key international destinations.
The day’s statistics paint a grim picture of widespread disruption, with airlines struggling to manage delays. While most cancellations were limited, the sheer volume of delayed flights created a backlog of passengers scrambling for alternative arrangements. Among the cancelled flights were key routes to popular destinations like London Heathrow, Vilnius, Berlin, and Hamburg, further adding to the travel woes.
The Impact on Major European Airports
The delays and cancellations at Copenhagen Airport rippled through Europe’s busiest airports, stranding thousands of passengers.
Heathrow (London, UK): As one of the busiest airports globally, Heathrow saw a significant number of flights delayed or cancelled. Passengers arriving from Copenhagen faced long waits and rebooked tickets.Vilnius (Lithuania): A number of flights from Copenhagen to Vilnius, an increasingly popular travel hub in the Baltic region, were delayed, leading to congestion at the Lithuanian airport.Berlin (Germany): Berlin’s airports were affected by several flight cancellations and delays, causing issues for passengers connecting to various European destinations.Hamburg (Germany): The delays in Copenhagen created a knock-on effect for passengers flying to and from Hamburg, one of the key airports serving northern Germany.Which Airlines Were Most Affected?
Several major carriers were at the centre of this disruption, each experiencing a significant number of delayed flights and cancellations. Let’s take a closer look at the details of these airlines, showing the number of delayed and cancelled flights from Copenhagen Airport.
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Flight Delays and Cancellations TableAirlineDelayed Flights% of Delayed FlightsCancelled Flights% of Cancelled FlightsBraathens Regional Airways2676%411%Finnair440%220%Norwegian Air Sweden2444%11%Austrian Airlines228%00%British Airways325%00%Cityjet3750%00%Brussels Airlines466%00%Air Baltic430%00%Croatia Airlines150%00%Lufthansa1062%00%Danish Air Transport342%00%Etihad Airways150%00%Eurowings2100%00%easyJet630%00%Atlantic Airways240%00%KLM541%00%LOT Polish Airlines350%00%Air Alsie A/S555%00%Egypt Air2100%00%Norwegian Air Shuttle225%00%Helvetic2100%00%Pegasus Airlines787%00%Qatar Airways375%00%Ryanair2156%00%Buzz583%00%SAS10649%00%SAS Link1551%00%Swiss233%00%Scandinavian Airlines Ireland3644%00%TAP Air Portugal2100%00%Thai Airways2100%00%Turkish Airlines650%00%AJet150%00%Emirates360%00%Volotea1100%00%Aegean Airlines1100%00%Wizz Air583%00%Air France337%00%Air India2100%00%The Ripple Effect: How the Delays and Cancellations Affected Passengers
For many passengers, the delays weren’t just an inconvenience—they were a full-blown travel nightmare. With 368 flights delayed, passengers from across the globe were left frustrated and exhausted. The long wait times and uncertainty made it impossible for many to plan alternate routes or rebook efficiently.
The situation was exacerbated by the fact that these delays had a knock-on effect across multiple European airports. Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, saw flights from Copenhagen delayed, while airports in Vilnius, Berlin, Hamburg, and other cities also dealt with the aftermath of the disruptions.
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How Airlines Are Responding to the Crisis
While passengers felt the brunt of the delays, many airlines are working to manage the situation. SAS, the biggest player at Copenhagen, had the highest number of delayed flights, with over 100 flights delayed across various destinations. Many passengers were rebooked, but others had to wait for hours, dealing with long queues at check-in counters and gate areas.
Other carriers, such as British Airways, Norwegian Air Sweden, and Lufthansa, have been similarly affected. Their customer service teams scrambled to assist passengers, but the scale of the issue made it difficult for them to respond quickly.
What Can Passengers Do?
For those who were impacted, navigating the complex web of delays and cancellations requires patience. Here are some tips for affected passengers:
Stay Informed: Always check the airline’s website or app for the latest updates.Know Your Rights: In cases of significant delays or cancellations, airlines may offer compensation. Passengers should familiarize themselves with their rights under EU regulations.Request Rebooking or Refunds: If your flight is cancelled, you have the option to request a refund or rebook to a later flight.Keep Receipts: If your delay or cancellation caused additional costs (such as meals or accommodation), be sure to keep receipts for reimbursement claims.What’s Next for Copenhagen Airport?
Copenhagen Airport’s management is likely to review the situation and implement measures to prevent a repeat of the chaos. A mix of weather challenges, technical difficulties, and operational inefficiencies caused the massive delays. Airport authorities are expected to take a hard look at their systems, especially in peak times, to streamline operations and enhance passenger experience during disruptions.
The events of the past day at Copenhagen Airport will be remembered as one of the worst travel days for many passengers. With 368 delayed flights and 9 cancellations, travelers faced more than just frustration—they experienced the heartache of missed connections, long waits, and unforeseen costs. Airlines and airport authorities will need to work together to ensure that such disruptions are minimized in the future, restoring passenger confidence in one of Europe’s busiest airports.
SAS, Air France, Emirates, TAP Air Portugal, KLM, and other airlines triggered major travel mayhem at Copenhagen Airport, with 368 flight delays and 9 cancellations caused by a mix of operational issues and unforeseen circumstances. This chaos stranded passengers traveling to key airports like Heathrow, Vilnius, Berlin, and Hamburg.
Despite the chaos, travel will continue, and the lessons learned from this incident will hopefully lead to more efficient and passenger-friendly operations in the future.
