Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Thousands of Passengers Stranded Across the UK, France, Iceland, Spain, Norway, and More as British, Air France, Air Europa, KLM, Finnair, Brussels Airlines, and Others Face Over 900 Delays and 109 Cancellations Across Europe, Affecting London, Nice, Reykjavik, Madrid, and Oslo
Published on
October 23, 2025
Thousands of passengers have been stranded across the UK, France, Iceland, Spain, Norway, and more as a wave of flight disruptions grips Europe. Major airlines including British Airways, Air France, Air Europa, KLM, Finnair, and Brussels Airlines are facing over 900 delays and 109 cancellations. These issues have severely affected key cities such as London, Nice, Reykjavik, Madrid, and Oslo, causing widespread travel chaos.
Meanwhile, frustrated travelers are lining up at airports, seeking answers and alternative routes. Airlines are citing technical issues, adverse weather, and air traffic congestion as the main causes. However, the scale of disruption has raised serious concerns about Europe’s air travel resilience.
Across Europe, air travelers faced massive disruption with 109 cancellations and 935 delays reported in a single day. Major airlines struggled to maintain schedules as weather issues, staffing shortages, and congestion worsened. The widespread delays left thousands of passengers stranded in airports, causing frustration and extended travel chaos across multiple countries.
Affected Cities and Airports
European cities and their main international airports affected by widespread flight disruptions. These include Frankfurt International Airport in Frankfurt, Germany; London Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom; Charles de Gaulle (Roissy) Airport in Paris, France; and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Other major hubs are Munich International and Berlin-Brandenburg in Germany, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in Nice, France, Düsseldorf International and Hamburg Airport in Germany, and Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium. Northern Europe was also impacted, including Helsinki-Vantaa in Finland and Oslo Gardermoen in Norway. Southern regions saw disruptions at Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona International in Spain, as well as Dublin International in Ireland. Additionally, Basle-Mulhouse (serving Switzerland and France) and Reykjavik Airport in Iceland were affected, reflecting a continent-wide travel challenge across major aviation centers.
Flight Cancellations
Affected Airlines
The airlines include major European and international carriers such as Lufthansa, Cityjet, Air Europa, SunExpress, British Airways, Swiss, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France. Other notable names are KLM, JetBlue, German Airways, easyJet, Finnair, and Brussels Airlines. Regional and cross-continental operators like Air Iceland Connect, Air Europa Express, BA CityFlyer, United Airlines, Iberia, and American Airlines also appear in the data. Additionally, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) and Norwegian Air Shuttle represent the Nordic region. Together, these airlines form a diverse mix of full-service and low-cost carriers that connect key European cities such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Oslo, reflecting the extensive scale of Europe’s air travel network and the widespread impact of delays and cancellations across multiple hubs.
Overview of Flight Cancellations
Here’s a detailed overview of flight cancellations based on your provided table:
Across major European airports, a total of 109 flight cancellations were reported, impacting multiple countries including Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and more. The majority of cancellations were concentrated among large carriers such as Lufthansa, Finnair, British Airways, and Cityjet, reflecting both operational strain and widespread travel disruptions across the continent.
German
Germany recorded several cancellations across multiple hubs:
- Frankfurt International saw 28 cancellations by Lufthansa, the highest among all airlines listed, along with smaller counts from Cityjet, Air Europa, and SunExpress.
- Munich International also reported 5 cancellations by Lufthansa, while Berlin-Brandenburg, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg each had between 2–4 cancellations by Lufthansa and Finnair.
This indicates that Lufthansa faced the heaviest operational impact in the region.
United Kingdom
At London Heathrow, British Airways had 4 cancellations, with smaller numbers from Lufthansa, Swiss, and Virgin Atlantic.
In Nice (serving many UK-bound routes), British Airways also cancelled 2 flights.
This suggests London was a significant center for disruptions in Western Europe.
France
At Charles de Gaulle (Roissy), Lufthansa reported 4 cancellations, while Air France maintained operations with no cancellations but a high delay rate.
The Nice Côte d’Azur Airport had 2 cancellations by British Airways and 1 by easyJet, pointing to partial service interruptions along France’s Mediterranean coast.
Netherlands
At Amsterdam Schiphol, KLM cancelled 3 flights, while JetBlue and German Airways had 1 each, reflecting moderate disruptions in one of Europe’s busiest hubs.
Finland
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport experienced 5 cancellations from Finnair, aligning with broader operational challenges across Northern Europe.
Belgium
Brussels Airlines cancelled 3 flights at Brussels Airport, a moderate number compared to larger carriers but notable given its regional influence.
Switzerland / France
Basle-Mulhouse Airport recorded 2 cancellations by Cityjet and 3 by easyJet, highlighting localized disruptions on Franco-Swiss routes.
Iceland
Reykjavik Airport saw 5 cancellations by Air Iceland Connect, one of the highest individual figures after Lufthansa, indicating significant impact in the Nordic region.
Spain
At Madrid-Barajas, Air Europa cancelled 1 flight, while at Barcelona International, Iberia cancelled 2 flights and American Airlines 1, marking limited but widespread cancellations across Spanish airports.
Ireland
Dublin International recorded 2 cancellations by KLM, and 1 each from BA CityFlyer and United Airlines, affecting transatlantic and intra-European routes.
Norway
Oslo Gardermoen Airport reported 3 cancellations by SAS and 2 by Norwegian Air Shuttle, showing disruption in Scandinavia as well.
British Airways, KLM, and Finnair collectively contributed to major operational challenges across Western and Northern Europe. Lufthansa alone accounted for over 45% of all cancellations, mostly in Germany and France. Northern Europe (Finland, Norway, Iceland) saw significant cancellations despite lower traffic volumes. Cityjet reported an unusual 100% cancellation rate at Basle-Mulhouse, though limited in total flights.
What to Do if Your Flight Gets Cancelled: A Quick Guide
Flight cancellations can be frustrating, but knowing the right steps to take can help minimize stress. Here’s what you can do if you find yourself in this situation:
Stay Updated
Monitor your email, phone, and the airline’s app for rebooking confirmation or further announcements.
Stay Calm and Check for Updates
As soon as you learn your flight is canceled, stay calm and check for updates. Many airlines will notify you via text, email, or their app. Visit the airline’s website for real-time updates on the situation.
Contact the Airline
Reach out to the airline’s customer service either in person at the airport or over the phone. If you’re at the airport, head to the service desk. If you’re not, try calling or using the airline’s online chat system to avoid waiting in long queues.
Know Your Rights
Familiarize yourself with the airline’s policies regarding cancellations. Many airlines offer rebooking options or compensation, especially if the cancellation is within their control. In the EU, for example, passengers are entitled to compensation under certain conditions.
Consider Alternative Flights
Ask the airline about the next available flight. If you can’t find a suitable option, consider booking a new flight through another airline, or check for other forms of transport like trains or buses.
The widespread flight disruptions across Europe, with 109 cancellations and 935 delays, highlight the vulnerability of the region’s air travel network. Major airlines like Lufthansa, British Airways, and Air France faced significant operational challenges, leading to thousands of passengers stranded or delayed. Airports in Germany, the UK, France, Spain, and Scandinavia were hit the hardest, with Lufthansa bearing the brunt of cancellations. The impact of weather, technical issues, and air traffic congestion underscored the delicate nature of modern aviation, leaving travelers facing frustrating delays and uncertainty in their travel plans.
Source: FlightAware
