Thousands of Passengers Isolated in Europe as Ryanair, British, Pegasus, SAS and Other Airlines Hit with 61 Cancellations and 1,734 Delays across Spain, Italy, Norway, Macedonia at Barcelona, Milan, Oslo, Skopje and More

Published on
December 22, 2025

Thousands of passengers across Europe are stranded as several major airlines, including Ryanair, British Airways, Pegasus, and SAS, face significant disruptions. A total of 61 cancellations and 1,734 delays have affected flights throughout Spain, Italy, Norway, and Macedonia. Key airports in Barcelona, Milan, Oslo, Skopje, and other major cities are overwhelmed with travelers caught in long queues and uncertainty. The sheer scale of these disruptions has left many passengers isolated, unable to reach their destinations on time. These delays and cancellations are particularly severe during the busy travel period, compounding the challenges for both airlines and passengers.

As airlines scramble to accommodate those affected, it’s crucial for passengers to stay informed and prepared for potential further delays in the coming days.

Total Cancellations and Delays Across European Airports

According to recent data, European airports have faced a total of 61 cancellations and 1,734 delays. These figures reflect the growing challenges in European aviation, which have affected airports from Amsterdam Schiphol to Lisbon’s General Humberto Delgado. Passengers traveling through major hubs like London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Zurich have also been heavily impacted by the disruptions.

Key Airports across Europe Affected by Cancellations and Delays

Schiphol, one of Europe’s busiest airports, has been struggling with 10 cancellations and 235 delays. The high number of delays points to significant operational challenges, including congestion, staffing shortages, or maintenance issues. Paris airports have also felt the impact. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) saw 3 cancellations and 77 delays, while Paris Orly (ORY) reported 7 cancellations and 130 delays. These delays may be due to heavy passenger traffic during peak hours, especially as the holiday season approaches. Other key airports including Zurich (ZRH), Barcelona (BCN), and Václav Havel Airport (PRG) saw significant delays ranging from 67 to 177 flights, with cancellations affecting flights in and out of these airports.

AirportCancellationsDelays Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) 10 235 Paris Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (CDG) 3 77 Paris Orly (ORY) 7 130 London Heathrow (LHR) 4 170 London Gatwick (LGW) 1 173 London City (LCY) 2 22 Manchester (MAN) 1 110 Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL) 3 44 Bergen, Flesland (BGO) 2 24 Zurich (ZRH) 1 90 Geneva Cointrin Int’l (GVA) 1 86 Václav Havel Airport (PRG) 6 177 Skopje (SKP) 8 28 Barcelona Int’l (BCN) 2 97 Malpensa Int’l (MXP) 2 67 Istanbul Airport (IST) 1 88 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW) 2 67 Allgäu (FMM) 2 21 Nantes Atlantique (NTE) 2 21 General Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) 1 242 Halifax Int’l (YHZ) 2 7

Airlines Impacted by Disruptions

Leading budget carrier easyJet faced 13 cancellations and 492 delays, which is the highest number of delays across the airlines. Air France and KLM, both major European carriers, also reported 9 cancellations and 118 delays, and 8 cancellations and 111 delays, respectively. These airlines are particularly affected by issues such as air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions, and technical problems. Airlines like Wizz Air and Norwegian Air Shuttle are also facing disruptions. Wizz Air reported 2 cancellations and 68 delays, while Norwegian Air Shuttle had 2 cancellations and 31 delays. These airlines have fewer flights, so even a small number of delays or cancellations can have a disproportionate effect on their passengers.

AirlineCancellationsDelays easyJet 13 492 Air France 9 118 KLM 8 111 Vueling Airlines 3 130 British Airways 3 82 Wizz Air Malta 2 74 Wizz Air 2 68 Norwegian Air Shuttle 2 31 BA CityFlyer 2 45 Ryanair 1 456 Lufthansa 1 109 SAS Link 4 14 Olympic Air 2 5 Air Iceland Connect 2 1 Aer Lingus UK 1 0 Jazz (ACA) 8 79 Porter Airlines 4 67 Turkish Airlines 2 163 Pegasus Airlines 4 106

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

If you are one of the many passengers affected by these travel disruptions, here are some steps you can take:

1. Check Your Flight Status: Always monitor your airline’s website or the airport’s official site for updates on flight cancellations or delays.
2. Know Your Rights: EU regulations (EC 261/2004) protect passengers from long delays and cancellations. If your flight is delayed by more than three hours, you may be entitled to compensation.
3. Contact Your Airline: Reach out to your airline’s customer service for alternative flight arrangements. Many airlines offer rebooking or even vouchers for future flights in case of long delays or cancellations.
4. Prepare for the Unexpected: Given the high likelihood of delays and cancellations, ensure you have essentials such as snacks, chargers, and entertainment for long waits at the airport.

Europe’s Aviation Struggles

As Europe’s aviation system continues to face disruptions, airports and airlines are under pressure to improve their operations and minimize further delays. The total of 61 cancellations and 1,734 delays across European airports highlight the ongoing struggles the region is facing in air travel. With the holiday season fast approaching, affected passengers must stay informed and act promptly to mitigate the impact of these disruptions. Travelers should remain proactive and prepared for the worst, while seeking appropriate compensation when necessary.

Source: FlightAware and Affected Airports