Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Travel Chaos Strikes Europe as Wizz Air, Cityjet, Ryanair, and More Airlines Cancel Flights and Delay 33 Across Vilnius, Copenhagen, Billund, Warsaw and More Airports After Airspace Disruption from Flying Objects

Published on
October 26, 2025

Recent disruptions in European air travel have affected multiple airports across the continent, with a significant number of cancellations and delays reported. A total of 3 cancellations and 33 delays have been recorded at several major airports, including Vilnius International in Lithuania, Billund in Denmark, Copenhagen, and Warsaw Frederic Chopin in Poland, among others. The ongoing issues have been linked to a series of challenges such as adverse weather conditions and security incidents. One of the major incidents took place at Vilnius International Airport, where operations were suspended after weather balloons from Belarus entered the airspace, forcing a temporary closure. This marked the fourth disruption of its kind at Vilnius Airport this month, contributing to the growing instability in European air travel. The situation at Vilnius escalated after multiple reports of drone sightings and unauthorized air incursions at other airports, such as those in Copenhagen and Munich. Airlines like Cityjet, Wizz Air, and Ryanair have also been affected, leading to flight cancellations and delays. Passengers at these airports have experienced varying levels of inconvenience, with some airlines seeing significant operational disruptions. For example, Copenhagen had 25% of flights cancelled. Similarly, Warsaw Frederic Chopin had a large percentage of delayed flights, further compounding the stress for travelers.

These disruptions not only affect daily commuters but also have a wider impact on tourism, as travelers face delays or cancellations that could alter their plans and itineraries. With multiple incidents occurring across Europe, the overall travel experience has been negatively impacted, especially for those on tight schedules or connecting flights.

Affected Airports, Cities, and CountriesVilnius International, Lithuania

Vilnius International in Lithuania had 1 cancellation, accounting for 1% of its flights, and 18 flights delayed, representing 31% of its operations. These disruptions have impacted passengers traveling to and from the Lithuanian capital.

Billund, Denmark

Billund in Denmark faced 1 cancellation, which affected 100% of its flights, with no delays. This total cancellation reflects a significant disruption at the airport.

Copenhagen, Denmark

At Copenhagen in Denmark, 1 flight was cancelled, making up 25% of its operations. There were no delays, but the cancellation affected travelers heading to or from Denmark’s capital.

Dortmund, Germany

Dortmund in Germany experienced 1 flight delayed, representing 100% of its flights, with no cancellations. This delay had a major impact on the airport’s services.

Helsinki-Vantaa, Finland

In Finland, Helsinki-Vantaa saw 1 cancellation, accounting for 25% of its flights, with no delays. The cancellation disrupted some of its scheduled services.

Amsterdam Schiphol, Netherlands

Amsterdam Schiphol in the Netherlands had 1 flight delayed, representing 50% of its operations, with no cancellations. This delay affected half of the scheduled flights from the busy international airport.

Dublin International, Ireland

Dublin International in Ireland experienced 1 cancellation, impacting 100% of its flights, with no delays. This complete cancellation disrupted travel to and from Dublin.

Warsaw Frederic Chopin, Poland

Warsaw Frederic Chopin in Poland saw 3 flights delayed, making up 75% of its operations, with no cancellations. These delays affected a significant portion of flights scheduled from the airport.

Riga International, Latvia

Riga International in Latvia experienced 1 flight delayed, accounting for 25% of its flights, with no cancellations. The delay affected a quarter of the airport’s operations.

Malaga, Spain

Malaga in Spain had 1 cancellation, which represented 100% of its flights, with no delays. This total cancellation caused disruptions to all flights scheduled from the airport.

Nice Cote d’Azur, France

Nice Cote d’Azur in France experienced 1 cancellation, impacting 100% of its flights, with no delays. The cancellation disrupted all travel from the Mediterranean airport.

Vienna International (Schwechat), Austria

Vienna International (Schwechat) in Austria saw 1 flight delayed, representing 33% of its operations, with no cancellations. The delay affected a third of the airport’s flights.

General Humberto Delgado Airport, Portugal

General Humberto Delgado Airport in Portugal experienced 1 cancellation, which affected 100% of its flights, with no delays. The cancellation significantly disrupted services at the Lisbon airport.

Zurich (Kloten), Switzerland

Zurich (Kloten) in Switzerland had 1 cancellation, impacting 100% of its flights, with no delays. This cancellation led to a complete halt in its scheduled operations.

Frankfurt International, Germany

Frankfurt International in Germany faced 1 cancellation, representing 100% of its flights, with no delays. The cancellation affected all outbound flights from Germany’s busiest airport.

Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg in Germany experienced 1 cancellation, making up 100% of its flights, with no delays. The cancellation led to a complete disruption of services at this regional airport.

Airlines Affected

Several airlines have faced significant disruptions in their operations, with varying rates of cancellations and delays across different routes. Cityjet had 2 flights cancelled, accounting for 50% of its operations, and no delays. Wizz Air saw 1 flight cancelled and 3 flights delayed, with the delays affecting 25% of its services. Air Baltic did not cancel any flights but had 12 flights delayed, making up 63% of its operations. Lufthansa had 2 flights cancelled, which represented 66% of its services, and no delays. Finnair saw 1 flight delayed, which was 12% of its flights, with no cancellations. Lauda Europe experienced 1 cancellation, making up 50% of its flights, and no delays. LOT Polish Airlines had 7 flights delayed, which accounted for 70% of its operations, with no cancellations. Ryanair had 4 flights delayed, representing 23% of its services, and no cancellations. Buzz experienced 1 flight delayed, or 14% of its operations, with no cancellations. Azur Air Ukraine saw an exceptional 3 flights delayed, representing 300% of its operations, with no cancellations. These disruptions reflect the significant operational challenges faced by these airlines, severely affecting passenger journeys across multiple routes.

What Passengers Can Do

When faced with disruptions such as cancellations or delays, passengers have a few options to consider. Firstly, it’s important to stay informed by regularly checking with the airline or airport for updates. Many airlines provide real-time information about flight status through their websites, apps, or customer service lines, so passengers can track their flight’s status without needing to be at the airport.

If a flight is cancelled, passengers are often entitled to rebook on the next available flight. In many cases, airlines will offer assistance to help secure an alternative, especially for long delays or cancellations. It’s advisable to contact the airline’s customer service as soon as possible to explore rebooking options.

For those experiencing delays, passengers should check with the airline regarding compensation or assistance, which may include meal vouchers, lounge access, or hotel accommodations, depending on the length of the delay. If a delay exceeds a certain period, airlines may offer passengers the option to rebook for a later date or issue a refund.

In the case of significant disruptions, especially during busy travel periods, travelers can also explore other transportation alternatives, such as trains or buses, if available. It’s crucial to have flexibility and plan accordingly to avoid unnecessary stress.

Overview

Recent disruptions across European airports have led to a total of 3 cancellations and 33 delays, affecting key airports such as Vilnius, Billund, Copenhagen, and Warsaw Frederic Chopin. These disruptions, caused by incidents like airspace breaches from weather balloons and drone sightings, have severely impacted airlines including Wizz Air, Cityjet, and Ryanair, with varying levels of service interruptions. As these challenges continue, travelers are urged to stay informed and anticipate potential delays, especially during peak travel periods, as the region navigates ongoing air traffic concerns.

Source: FlightAware

Disclaimer: The information provided is sourced from FlightAware and airport websites. We do not guarantee its accuracy and have no intention to harm or malign any airlines.