- Flight Disruptions
- Widespread flight delays and cancellations strand passengers across Europe
Widespread flight delays and cancellations strand passengers across Europe
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Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on 25 March 2026
7
Affected airports
6
Affected airlines
7
Affected airports
6
Affected airlines
Disruption overview
Flights across Europe faced widespread disruption with both cancellations and long delays at major hubs including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Paris CDG and Orly, Amsterdam Schiphol, Milan Malpensa, and Istanbul. Airlines affected included Ryanair, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Qatar Airways, and Lufthansa. Reports cite multiple spikes: around 69 cancellations with about 670 delays on one day, over 50 cancellations with 1,300 delays on 13 February 2026, and up to 333 cancellations with 2,396 delays on another day in March. Delays frequently exceeded three hours, triggering passenger assistance obligations under European and UK rules.
Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to £520 under passenger rights regulations. Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the disruption.
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Disruption details
Air travel across Europe has been disrupted by both cancellations and extended delays at major airports. Hubs named include London Heathrow and Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly, Amsterdam Schiphol, Milan Malpensa, and Istanbul Airport. Delays frequently exceeded three hours, activating passenger assistance obligations under European and UK regulations.
Airlines reported as affected include Ryanair, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Qatar Airways, and Lufthansa. Disruptions were observed on short‑haul and long‑haul routes, leaving passengers stranded, rerouted, or facing lengthy hold‑ups.
Network snapshot: approximately 69 cancellations and about 670 delays were recorded across Europe on one day.
On 13 February 2026: more than 1,300 delays and over 50 cancellations across hubs including Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Barcelona, Zurich, and Rome.
A separate day in March: up to 333 cancellations and 2,396 delays across 15 major airports.
Airline-level data cited show Ryanair with 345 delays and 2 cancellations on one day, Lufthansa with 91 delays and 1 cancellation, and the British Airways group with 28 cancellations and 217 delays.
The disruption pattern has stretched from late 2025 into early 2026, with recurring issues reported across numerous incidents in winter and into March.
Contributing factors reported:
Airspace rerouting linked to conflict, adding time and disrupting crew and aircraft rotations.
Adverse winter weather affecting multiple major hubs simultaneously.
Chronic understaffing in ground operations (baggage handling, fuelling, gate management).
These combined pressures resulted in recurring network slowdowns and large numbers of delays and cancellations across Europe, with rebooking processes heavily tested as passengers sought alternatives.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you have rights. Most passenger protection laws cover the following:
Compensation
Good passenger rights ensure passengers get fairly compensated for delays and cancellations. Try our compensation check and find out how much money we can get you.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. Some laws say you can choose a full refund instead.
Food and essential care
Providing food and drinks is a basic right under many regulations. Typically after a delay of a few hours.
Accommodation
Some passenger rights say the airline must provide accommodation when your journey is delayed overnight.
At the end of every passenger_rights_content element, always include the following disclaimer: "This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times."
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Other
Status
Current disruption
Compensation
May qualify for compensation
Airlines affected
Ryanair, Air France, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa
Airports affected
London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Milano Malpensa Airport, Istanbul Havalimani Airport
Cities affected
London, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Istanbul, Madrid, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Zurich, Rome
Countries affected
United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Italy, Türkiye
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
25 March 2026
What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
