BRUSSELS, Oct. 23, 2025 — Air travel across Europe has been severely impacted today, with more than 1,500 flight delays and 130 cancellations reported across key hubs including Amsterdam Schiphol, Manchester, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Rome Fiumicino AirHelp. The disruptions have left thousands of passengers stranded or rerouted, prompting renewed calls for contingency planning and better communication from airlines.
Causes of Disruption
The delays and cancellations are attributed to a combination of factors:
- Staff shortages among air traffic controllers and ground crews, particularly in Germany and France Flugradar24
- Residual effects of recent strikes, including baggage-handler walkouts in Spain and national protests in Belgium Metro visaverge.com
- Weather-related delays, with fog and wind affecting northern Europe’s flight schedules
- Ripple delays from previously disrupted flights, compounding congestion across interconnected routes
Major carriers affected include British Airways, Air France, Brussels Airlines, Swiss, and Helvetic, with some flights delayed by over two hours AirHelp.
Forecast and Outlook
While no new strikes are scheduled for today, intermittent disruptions are expected to continue through the weekend, especially in Spain and Italy, where labor actions remain unresolved. Eurocontrol data suggests that departure punctuality across Europe is at its lowest in two decades, with only 56.9% of flights leaving on time Flugradar24.
Advice for Travelers
Passengers flying today or in the coming days should:
- Check flight status regularly via airline apps or airport websites
- Arrive early to navigate longer check-in and security queues
- Avoid tight connections, especially through major hubs
- Consider travel insurance that covers delays and cancellations
- Monitor strike alerts and weather advisories for affected regions
Consumer rights groups also remind travelers that under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers may be entitled to compensation or rebooking in cases of significant delay or cancellation not caused by extraordinary circumstances.
Summary: Europe is experiencing widespread flight disruptions today due to staffing shortages, residual strikes, and weather delays. With over 1,500 delays and 130 cancellations, travelers are urged to stay informed, plan ahead, and know their rights.
Sources: AirHelp Metro visaverge.com Flugradar24
