Thousands of Passengers Abandoned across Europe as UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands Cancel 257 and Delay 3,016 New Flights Disrupting British, Ryanair, KLM, Air France and Other Airlines at London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and More

Published on
January 9, 2026

Thousands of passengers have been abandoned across Europe as Storm Goretti continues to disrupt travel in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. With 257 flight cancellations and 3,016 delays, airlines like British Airways, Ryanair, KLM, and Air France are facing widespread operational challenges. Major cities such as London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam are severely impacted, with thousands of passengers stranded at airports. The storm’s intense snow, winds, and freezing temperatures have forced several airports to shut down, leading to further chaos for travelers.

Airlines are working hard to manage the situation, but many flights remain disrupted. Passengers are advised to stay in contact with their airlines for the latest updates and to seek rebooking options where available. The situation is expected to continue affecting European travel for the coming days.

Storm Goretti Causes Widespread Travel Disruptions Across Europe

Europe is grappling with severe travel disruptions as Storm Goretti wreaks havoc across the continent, bringing heavy snow, wind gusts, and plunging temperatures. The storm has caused widespread flight cancellations, train delays, and road closures, affecting travel in multiple countries. From airports to rail networks, transport services are facing significant setbacks. Here’s an overview of the ongoing disruptions and what affected passengers can do.

Severe Travel Impact Across European Airports

Airports across Europe are reeling from the impact of Storm Goretti. With heavy snow, strong winds, and treacherous weather conditions, several airports have grounded flights, leading to massive delays and cancellations.

• UK airports are seeing cancellations of several flights, with London Heathrow and London Gatwick particularly affected. Over 50 flights have been cancelled at Heathrow alone, while Gatwick also faces delays on flights to Ireland and the Channel Islands.
• Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle are experiencing significant delays as 800 flights were cancelled at Schiphol, leaving more than 1,000 passengers stranded overnight. In Paris, wind gusts and snow accumulation have severely disrupted flight schedules.
• In Channel Island airports, including Jersey and Guernsey, operations were halted early evening, grounding most flights. These closures are expected to last until at least Friday, 9 January.

Total Cancellations at European airports amount to 257, with 3,016 delays affecting passengers across major travel hubs.

AirportCancellationsDelays Aberdeen (ABZ) 2 12 Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) 12 386 Athens Int’l, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) 4 68 Barcelona Int’l (BCN) 3 47 Berlin-Brandenburg (BER) 4 112 Brest Bretagne (BES) 6 1 Brussels (BRU) 5 85 Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (CDG) 32 394 Copenhagen (CPH) 2 94 Dublin Int’l (DUB) 2 80 Edinburgh (EDI) 2 28 Frankfurt Int’l (FRA) 10 357 Geneva Cointrin Int’l (GVA) 2 146 Glasgow Int’l (GLA) 2 22 Hamburg (HAM) 14 109 Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) 10 133 Jersey (JER) 8 4 London Gatwick (LGW) 6 54 London Heathrow (LHR) 50 269 Lyon (LYS) 2 31 Malpensa Int’l (MXP) 6 84 Manchester (MAN) 4 88 Munich Int’l (MUC) 2 108 Nantes Atlantique (NTE) 2 11 Nice Cote d’Azur (NCE) 5 53 Osaka Int’l (Itami) (ITM) 10 77 Paris Orly (ORY) 2 154 Rinas Mother Teresa (TIA) 7 56 Sendai (SDJ) 6 45 Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS) 2 18 Vnukovo (VKO) 4 21 Zurich (Kloten) (ZRH) 11 261

Cities and Airlines Affected

Storm Goretti‘s disruption extends beyond airports, with significant impacts on major cities and airlines across Europe. The UK, France, Germany, and Netherlands are particularly vulnerable to the storm’s fallout.

• Cities like London, Edinburgh, Paris, and Amsterdam have faced disruptions in airports, trains, and road travel.
• Storm-related delays have extended into train travel, with UK and Dutch rail services facing significant delays. Train services in the UK, especially in Cornwall, Sheffield, and Manchester, have been suspended, while Amsterdam’s rail network was severely impacted by snowfall and ice.
• Airlines, including British Airways, Ryanair, EasyJet, and Air France, have reported flight cancellations and delays across Europe. British Airways alone has experienced 46 cancellations and 125 delays due to the severe conditions.

AirlineCancellationsDelays Aegean Airlines 3 41 Aer Lingus UK 2 0 Air Baltic 2 42 Air France 33 259 Air Iceland Connect 2 0 BA Euroflyer 4 7 Braathens Regional Airways 2 6 British Airways 46 125 Brussels Airlines 2 28 easyJet 1 213 Emerald Airlines 2 7 Finnair 10 111 Helvetic Airways 2 26 KLM 4 251 Lufthansa 7 208 Olympic Air 3 36 Pegasus Airlines 14 313 Ryanair 4 242 Swiss International Air Lines (Swiss) 8 112 Turkish Airlines 1 421 Wizz Air Malta 9 201

What Can Affected Passengers Do Now?

For those caught up in the chaos caused by Storm Goretti, here’s what you can do:

Flight Passengers

• Rebooking Options: Many airlines, including Loganair and Ryanair, are offering free rebooking options for affected passengers. If your flight has been cancelled or delayed, you can rebook a flight up to 14 days from the original travel date without any additional charges.
• Refunds: In the event of flight cancellations, check with your airline regarding refund policies. You can often apply for a refund if no suitable rebooking options are available.
• Stay Informed: Make sure to check airline websites and flight tracking apps regularly for updates. Airlines are updating passengers with new departure times and offering alternative routes.

Conclusion: Impact and Preparations for Storm Goretti

As Storm Goretti intensifies, passengers across Europe are facing an unpredictable and frustrating travel experience. With total delays reaching 3,016 and 257 cancellations, the storm’s grip on airports, rail services, and ferries shows no signs of easing. For those planning to travel, it’s crucial to stay informed through official channels, consider alternative travel options, and rebook flights or train services as needed.

As the storm moves through Europe, affected travelers must be prepared for ongoing delays and cancellations, while airlines and rail operators work tirelessly to clear the backlog and restore services.

Source: FlightAware and Affected Airports