Home » Airlines News of France » France Face Severe Travel Chaos as Air France, KLM, easyJet, HOP! and other Airlines Face 75 Flight Cancellations and 957 Delays Amid Heavy Snow, Strong Winds and Low Visibility, Affecting Passengers across Paris, Nice, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse and more

Published on
January 4, 2026

Severe winter weather is currently paralyzing the aviation sector across France. Heavy snowfall and fierce winds have triggered a massive wave of disruptions at several major hubs. Travelers in Paris face the brunt of the chaos as Charles de Gaulle and Orly struggle to manage hundreds of stalled flights. The crisis extends far beyond the capital, reaching southern destinations like Nice and Toulouse. Airlines are working tirelessly to navigate these hazardous conditions. Air France and KLM have already reported significant cancellations, leaving many passengers stranded in terminals. Meanwhile, easyJet operations are facing similar hurdles in Lyon and Bordeaux. Low visibility continues to hamper takeoffs and landings, forcing ground crews into an uphill battle against the elements. Regional gateways such as Nantes and Mulhouse are also feeling the pressure of this seasonal storm. Consequently, flight schedules remain highly unpredictable. There’s a total of 75 Flight Cancellations and 957 Delays reported. Travelers must check their flight status frequently before departing for the airport. Transitioning through these hubs requires extra patience as the industry prioritizes safety over speed. Please stay updated as the situation in these French cities continues to evolve throughout the day.

The logistical strain is being felt most acutely at the following gateways, where hundreds of flights have been hampered by the prevailing weather conditions:

  • Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (Paris): As the primary international hub for France, this airport has recorded the highest volume of disruptions. A total of 20 cancellations and 439 delays have been documented here today. The sheer scale of operations in Paris means that these delays have a profound ripple effect on global connections.
  • Nice Cote d’Azur: The Mediterranean gateway has not been spared by the weather front. Operations in Nice have been significantly hampered, with 13 cancellations and 95 delays reported as ground crews struggle against the elements.
  • Lyon: Serving as a vital link for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon has seen 8 cancellations and 67 delays. The regional connectivity is being tested as visibility remains a primary concern for flight crews.
  • Paris Orly: Serving as the secondary hub for Paris, Orly has reported 7 cancellations and 151 delays. The concentration of domestic and European short-haul flights makes this a particularly congested point for stranded passengers.
  • Bordeaux-Merignac: In the southwest, Bordeaux is facing its own share of scheduling difficulties. Data shows 7 cancellations and 36 delays have occurred at this facility today.
  • Toulouse-Blagnac: The aerospace capital of Toulouse has recorded 7 cancellations and 47 delays, further complicating travel for those moving through the southern corridors of the country.
  • Basle-Mulhouse: Serving the border regions, the airport at Mulhouse is reporting 7 cancellations and 79 delays, reflecting the widespread nature of the current weather system.
  • Nantes Atlantique: In the west, Nantes has seen 6 cancellations and 43 delays, rounding out a day of significant operational hurdles for the French aviation sector.

The burden of these weather-related challenges is being carried by several major carriers, with the following airlines being the most significantly impacted:

  • Air France: As the national carrier, Air France is managing the largest portion of the disruption. Significant numbers of cancellations and delays are being reported at Charles de Gaulle (16/218), Nice (1/10), Orly (1/12), Bordeaux (2/6), Toulouse (1/6) and Nantes (4/8).
  • easyJet: This low-cost giant is facing widespread issues across every listed airport. Major figures include 57 delays in Paris (CDG), 8 cancellations in Nice and significant disruption in Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Mulhouse and Nantes.
  • KLM: The Dutch carrier has seen its French operations curtailed, particularly in Paris (3 cancellations), Nice (4 cancellations) and Lyon (2 cancellations), as well as impacts in Bordeaux and Mulhouse.
  • HOP!: Regional connectivity is being strained as HOP! records cancellations and delays in Lyon, Bordeaux and Toulouse.
  • Transavia France: Focused largely on the Paris Orly hub, Transavia has been forced to cancel 2 flights while managing 54 delays.
  • Wizz Air Malta: A single cancellation and 4 delays have been noted at the Mulhouse gateway.

The ripple effects of 957 delayed flights and 75 cancellations are expected to be felt deeply within the local tourism sectors of the affected regions. In Paris, the influx of international visitors is being throttled by the congestion at both Charles de Gaulle and Orly. As the primary tourism engine of France, any prolonged disruption in Paris results in a measurable decline in hotel occupancy and a decrease in foot traffic at major cultural landmarks.

In the south, the city of Nice is seeing its reputation as a reliable winter getaway challenged by the sudden halt of flights. With 13 cancellations, tourists who intended to visit the French Riviera are either stranded or forced to postpone their trips. Similarly, the gastronomic and business tourism sectors in Lyon and Bordeaux are facing a slowdown. Travel itineraries in Bordeaux and Toulouse are being rewritten as passengers find themselves unable to reach their destinations on time.

Even in regional hubs like Nantes and Mulhouse, the tourism industry relies heavily on the punctuality of short-haul European flights. The “travel chaos” currently being described by observers suggests that the economic impact will extend beyond the airport terminals and into the shops, restaurants and hotels that form the backbone of the French hospitality industry.

For those currently caught in the midst of the disruption across France, several steps are recommended to navigate the uncertainty. Passengers in Paris, Nice, Lyon and other affected cities are advised to maintain constant communication with their respective carriers.

  1. Monitor Flight Status Remotely: Before heading to the airports in Bordeaux, Toulouse, or Nantes, passengers should use mobile applications and official airline websites to check for real-time updates. This prevents further congestion within the terminals.
  2. Understand Passenger Rights: Under European regulation (EC 261/2004), passengers departing from airports in France may be entitled to care and assistance. This can include food, refreshments and if necessary, overnight accommodation, particularly for those stranded at major hubs like Paris or Lyon.
  3. Confirm Rebooking Options: Airlines like Air France, KLM and easyJet are currently working to re-accommodate passengers. It is often faster to manage these changes through an airline’s app rather than waiting in line at the airport service desks in Mulhouse or Nice.
  4. Travel Insurance Documentation: For those experiencing significant delays in Toulouse or Bordeaux, it is vital to keep all receipts for out-of-pocket expenses. Professional documentation of the delay or cancellation will be required for any subsequent insurance claims.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.