Travel Chaos Strikes Switzerland and Germany as 81 Delays and 79 Cancellations Leave Travelers Stranded in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Zurich, Madrid, Frankfurt Airports

Published on
November 29, 2025

Flight cancellations have plagued European air travel as airlines deal with a combination of staffing shortages, fleet limitations, and unexpected operational constraints. Key carriers, including SWISS, KLM, and Iberia, have had to cancel a significant number of flights, affecting travel plans for thousands of passengers.

As airlines navigate these disruptions, travelers are facing the dual challenge of finding alternative flights while dealing with long wait times for rebookings and refunds. Here’s a breakdown of the flight cancellations impacting European and international routes, and how you can navigate the disruption.

Cancelled KLM flights

IdentTypeOriginDestinationScheduled Departure Time KLM1275 A21N Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Copenhagen (CPH / EKCH) Fri 17:05 CET KLM1507 B738 Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD / LEMD) Fri 17:15 CET KLM1924 B738 Zurich (Kloten) (ZRH / LSZH) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Fri 17:40 CET KLM1822 E75L Frankfurt Int’l (FRA / EDDF) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Fri 18:00 CET KLM918 B737 Aberdeen (ABZ / EGPD) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Fri 17:30 GMT KLM1206 B738 Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL / ENGM) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Fri 19:10 CET KLM1276 A21N Copenhagen (CPH / EKCH) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Fri 19:35 CET KLM809 B789 Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Kuala Lumpur Int’l (KUL / WMKK) Fri 20:35 CET KLM1508 B738 Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD / LEMD) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Fri 20:40 CET KLM945 B738 Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Glasgow Int’l (GLA / EGPF) Fri 21:45 CET KLM1126 E190 Cork Int’l (ORK / EICK) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Sat 06:10 GMT KLM934 B738 Glasgow Int’l (GLA / EGPF) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Sat 06:15 GMT KLM1501 B738 Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD / LEMD) Sat 07:50 CET KLM1029 B738 Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Manchester (MAN / EGCC) Sat 08:05 CET KLM1579 B738 Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) General Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS / LPPT) Sat 08:45 CET KLM1919 A21N Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Zurich (Kloten) (ZRH / LSZH) Sat 09:50 CET KLM809 B789 Kuala Lumpur Int’l (KUL / WMKK) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Sat 10:15 +08 KLM1030 B738 Manchester (MAN / EGCC) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Sat 09:15 GMT KLM1920 A21N Zurich (Kloten) (ZRH / LSZH) Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) Sat 11:10 CET

Cancelled Pegasus Airlines

IdentTypeOriginDestinationScheduled Departure Time PGT594 A320 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Marsa Alam Int’l (RMF / HEMA) Fri 21:55 +03 PGT386 A320 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Vnukovo (VKO / UUWW) Fri 22:05 +03 PGT1576 A320 Antalya (AYT / LTAI) Vnukovo (VKO / UUWW) Fri 22:25 +03 PGT232 B738 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Aktau (SCO / UATE) Sat 00:25 +03 PGT430 A320 Antalya (AYT / LTAI) Chisinau International (RMO / LUKK) Sat 01:05 +03 PGT818 A321 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Erbil Int’l (EBL / OER) Sat 01:15 +03 PGT314 A321 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Tbilisi Int’l (TBS / UGTB) Sat 01:55 +03 PGT1800 A320 Antalya (AYT / LTAI) Queen Alia Int’l (AMM / OJAI) Sat 02:20 MSK PGT387 A321 Vnukovo (VKO / UUWW) Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Sat 02:50 EET PGT431 A320 Chisinau International (RMO / LUKK) Antalya (AYT / LTAI) Sat 02:55 EET PGT1595 A320 Marsa Alam Int’l (RMF / HEMA) Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Sat 04:20 MSK PGT1577 A320 Vnukovo (VKO / UUWW) Antalya (AYT / LTAI) Sat 04:25 +03 PGT233 B738 Aktau (SCO / UATE) Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Sat 05:00 +03 PGT4066 A320 Edremit Korfez (EDO / LTBF) Antalya (AYT / LTAI) Sat 06:25 +03 PGT1801 A321 Queen Alia Int’l (AMM / OJA) Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Sat 06:45 +03 PGT1819 A320 Erbil Int’l (EBL / OER) Antalya (AYT / LTAI) Sat 06:50 +03 PGT315 A321 Tbilisi Int’l (TBS / UGTB) Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Sat 06:55 +03 PGT4848 A320 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Antalya (AYT / LTAI) Sat 06:55 +03 PGT7422 A321 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l (SAW / LTFJ) Rinas Mother Teresa (TIA / LATI) Sat 07:05 +03

Cancelled Avianca Flights

IdentTypeOriginDestinationScheduled Departure Time AVA9307 A320 Jose Maria Cordova Int’l (MDE / SKRG) El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Fri 11:08 -05 AVA9290 A320 Antonio Narino (PSO / SKPS) El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Fri 11:35 -05 AVA8578 A319 El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Palonegro (BGA / SKBG) Fri 12:10 -05 AVA8455 A320 Los Garzones (MTR / SKMR) El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Fri 12:25 -05 AVA9772 A320 Ernesto Cortissos Int’l (BAQ / SKBQ) El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Fri 12:35 -05 AVA9437 A320 Palonegro (BGA / SKBG) El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Fri 12:50 -05 AVA9485 A320 El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Rafael Nunez Int’l (CTG / SKCG) Fri 13:10 -05 AVA9700 A320 Rafael Nunez Int’l (CTG / SKCG) El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Fri 13:30 -05 AVA9884 A320 El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo (VUP / SKVP) Fri 14:05 -05 AVA2317 A320 Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo (VUP / SKVP) El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Fri 14:40 -05 AVA9431 A320 El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Alfonso Bonilla Aragon Int’l (CLO / SKCL) Fri 15:10 -05 AVA9358 A320 Alfonso Bonilla Aragon Int’l (CLO / SKCL) El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Fri 15:30 -05 AVA9222 A320 El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Jose Maria Cordova Int’l (MDE / SKRG) Fri 16:05 -05 AVA9526 A320 Jose Maria Cordova Int’l (MDE / SKRG) El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Fri 16:45 -05 AVA1033 A320 El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Ernesto Cortissos Int’l (BAQ / SKBQ) Fri 17:10 -05 AVA7422 A320 Ernesto Cortissos Int’l (BAQ / SKBQ) El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Fri 17:40 -05 AVA1712 A320 El Dorado Int’l (BOG / SKBO) Perales (IBE / SKIB) Sat 06:08 -05

Cancelled Swiss Flights

IdentTypeOriginDestinationScheduled Departure Time SWR1051 BCS3 Hamburg (HAM / EDDH) Zurich (Kloten) (ZRH / LSZH) Sat 10:00 CET

Causes of the Flight Cancellations: Shortage of Pilots and Aircraft Issues

The pilot shortage continues to be a major factor in flight disruptions, with airlines struggling to staff their fleets amid growing demand. In addition, some airlines are facing technical challenges with their aircraft, which have further delayed flight schedules and led to cancellations.

• SWISS has experienced significant cancellations, particularly affecting routes to Zurich, as well as flights within Europe. These disruptions are being driven by a shortage of available cockpit crew and some fleet issues with their Airbus A220 jets.
• KLM and Iberia also face similar constraints, resulting in reduced flight frequencies and canceled services, particularly on shorter regional routes.

Key Affected Destinations: Europe and Beyond

The cancellations affect key European hubs and popular destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Key Affected Countries:

• Germany: Hamburg, Frankfurt
• The Netherlands: Amsterdam
• Spain: Madrid, Barcelona
• Switzerland: Zurich
• France: Paris
• Italy: Milan
• United Kingdom: London, Gatwick

These disruptions are felt most heavily in cities with major international hubs, where travelers connecting to international destinations are being redirected to alternate flights.

Impact on Passengers: What You Should Know

Flight cancellations lead to widespread disruption for travelers, particularly those with connections or tight schedules. Passengers are experiencing the following challenges:

• Missed connections: Travelers on multi‑stop journeys are at risk of missing their connecting flights due to canceled flights or delays.
• Rebooking and refunds: While passengers are entitled to compensation or rebooking under EU Regulation EC 261, the process can be time-consuming and may involve waiting in long queues or using limited customer service resources.
• Increased travel costs: Due to high demand for rebooked flights, some passengers may face higher ticket prices or limited availability on alternate flights.

Travel Advice for Affected Passengers:

If your flight is canceled:

• Check with your airline immediately for the next available flight or rebooking options.
• Request compensation for delays or cancellations, including meal vouchers, hotel stays, or transportation assistance.
• Consider alternative transport options, such as trains or buses, if air travel is unavailable or excessively delayed.
• Travel insurance may help mitigate the costs of cancellations, so ensure you have appropriate coverage for your journey.

The Role of Technology in Managing Travel Disruptions

As airlines work to recover from these staffing shortages and fleet constraints, technology continues to play a crucial role in assisting both passengers and airlines. Airlines are increasingly turning to AI-powered systems and automated customer service to provide faster solutions for booking, compensation, and rebooking.

Technology is also helping airlines better manage resources by using real-time data, allowing them to reroute flights, adjust schedules, and reduce the number of canceled services. However, these systems are still in development, and the effectiveness of these measures may vary depending on the airline’s infrastructure and the scale of disruptions.

Advice for Travelers Facing Disruptions

For those flying in the coming weeks, it’s crucial to be prepared for potential cancellations or delays. Here’s how to manage disruptions efficiently:

• Stay updated on flight statuses via airline apps and websites.
• Plan for flexibility in your travel itinerary, especially if flying with an airline affected by staff shortages.
• Book flights early or use flexible tickets to allow for easier changes in case of disruption.

Source: FlightAware