Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Travel Woes Across Schengen as 140 New Flights Are Cancelled, Including at the Busiest Airport in Europe and Other Major Hubs, Affecting easyJet, British, Swiss, KLM, and More
Sunday, July 27, 2025
There are travel chaos across the Schengen Zone as about 140 new flight have been scrapped at major airports like London Heathrow, the busiest airport in Europe by passenger traffic, and elsewhere hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam Schiphol and Charles de Gaulle. These cancellations are primarily caused by a mix of adverse weather, including thunderstorms, floods, and temperature oscillations across Europe. Airlines such as easyJet, British Airways, Swiss and KLM are struggling to operate with delays and cancellations due to on-going problems caused by the freeze up of the de-icing systems. The continuing chaos is being exacerbated by staffing problems, and with air traffic at high volumes it is proving hard for airlines and airports to be to able handle so many passengers.
At Berlin Brandenburg, 9 flights were cancelled, with Lufthansa leading the way with 6 cancellations (17%) and 5 delays (14%). easyJet saw 32 delays (35%) but only 1 cancellation (1%). Munich International experienced 13 cancellations, with Lufthansa (7 cancellations, 2%) and Lufthansa CityLine (6 cancellations, 4%) contributing significantly. Frankfurt International had 94 cancellations, the highest, with Lufthansa accounting for 70 cancellations (10%) and 228 delays (34%). Amsterdam Schiphol reported 12 cancellations, with easyJet experiencing 16 delays (14%) and Lufthansa having 7 delays (50%). London Heathrow faced 6 cancellations, mainly with Lufthansa (4 cancellations, 9%) and British Airways (2 cancellations, 0%). Finally, Charles de Gaulle saw 6 cancellations, with Lufthansa accounting for 4 cancellations (20%) and Air France experiencing 1 cancellation (0%).
Massive Flight Cancellations and Delays
Across major airports in the Schengen Area, 140 flights have been cancelled, and numerous others have been delayed:
- Berlin Brandenburg: 9 cancellations and 104 delays, with easyJet seeing the highest number of delays (32) and Lufthansa accounting for 6 cancellations.
- Munich International: 13 cancellations and 187 delays, with Lufthansa (7 cancellations) and Lufthansa CityLine (6 cancellations) leading the pack.
- Frankfurt International: 94 cancellations and 470 delays, with Lufthansa facing the brunt of it, accounting for 70 cancellations and 228 delays.
- Amsterdam Schiphol: 12 cancellations and 236 delays, with easyJet and Lufthansa both reporting multiple cancellations and delays.
- Charles de Gaulle: 6 cancellations and 229 delays, with Lufthansa and Air France having the most affected flights.
- London Heathrow: 6 cancellations, including Lufthansa (4 cancellations) and British Airways (2 cancellations), and 238 delays.
Contributing Factors to the Disruptions
Weather conditions played a major role in causing the widespread cancellations. Extreme heatwaves in southern Europe, particularly in the Balkans, reached record-breaking temperatures of 44°C in countries like Serbia, Greece, and Albania. These conditions are now giving way to a significant drop in temperatures, accompanied by thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, further disrupting air travel.
Additionally, the severe weather in Hungary, which included flash floods and thunderstorms, exacerbated the situation for travelers, particularly those trying to return home from Lake Balaton before the storm front moved in. This caused massive traffic jams and road closures, making it more difficult for passengers to make it to the airports on time.
Affected Airlines
The impact of these cancellations is widespread, with several major airlines facing disruptions:
- easyJet: Multiple cancellations and delays at Berlin, Munich, and Amsterdam Schiphol.
- British Airways: Cancellations at Heathrow and Frankfurt.
- Swiss: Delays and cancellations at Berlin Brandenburg and Frankfurt.
- KLM: Affected at Amsterdam Schiphol and Frankfurt.
- Lufthansa: The airline with the highest number of cancellations, particularly at Berlin Brandenburg, Frankfurt, and Munich.
Other carriers such as Austrian Airlines, Ryanair, KLM, and Eurowings also faced flight disruptions, with many passengers struggling to get updates on their schedules as they navigate the chaos.
Around 140 flights have been cancelled across Schengen airports, including the busiest in Europe, due to severe weather conditions, operational challenges, and high air traffic, impacting airlines like easyJet, British Airways, Swiss, KLM, and more. The disruptions are primarily caused by thunderstorms, flash floods, and extreme temperature changes across the continent.
Looking Ahead
As the weather pattern shifts, passengers should anticipate continued disruptions. While temperatures in southern Europe are expected to drop significantly, thunderstorms and heavy rain may continue to affect airports, particularly in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the UK. Travelers are encouraged to check their flight statuses regularly and be prepared for further delays or cancellations, especially at Heathrow, Schiphol, Munich, and Frankfurt.
The ongoing operational challenges, compounded by unpredictable weather patterns, highlight the vulnerability of air travel even during the summer months. As the situation develops, it’s essential for travelers to stay updated and plan ahead to minimize any potential inconvenience during their journeys.