Travel Chaos in Europe as Spain, Portugal, France, Russia, Ireland, Switzerland Cancel 51 Flights and Delay 599 More Affecting SATA Air Açores, Iberia, Sunrise, Swiss, Austrian and More Airlines at Madrid, Lisbon, Paris, Vnukovo, Dublin, Zurich and Others

Home » Airlines News of Europe » Travel Chaos in Europe as Spain, Portugal, France, Russia, Ireland, Switzerland Cancel 51 Flights and Delay 599 More Affecting SATA Air Açores, Iberia, Sunrise, Swiss, Austrian and More Airlines at Madrid, Lisbon, Paris, Vnukovo, Dublin, Zurich and Others

Published on
February 10, 2026

Travel Chaos in Europe has reached unprecedented levels as Spain, Portugal, France, Russia, Ireland, and Switzerland grapple with massive flight disruptions, largely caused by cold weather. 51 flights have been cancelled, and a staggering 599 flights have been delayed, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across multiple airports. Major airlines such as SATA Air Açores, Iberia, Sunrise, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines are among those most affected. Madrid, Lisbon, Paris, Vnukovo, Dublin, and Zurich have become hubs of frustration as travelers face long waits and uncertainty. The cold weather has led to poor visibility and frozen runways, further complicating air traffic. These disruptions are not only hindering travel for holidaymakers but also impacting business operations across Europe.

With the growing scale of cancellations and delays, passengers are advised to stay in close contact with their airlines for updates and alternative arrangements. The travel chaos continues to unfold, with many airports struggling to accommodate the surge in passenger volume.

Total Flight Disruptions: A Breakdown of Cancellations and Delays

As per the latest data, a total of 51 cancellations and 599 delays have been recorded, affecting both major and smaller airports in Europe. Airlines, including well-known carriers such as SATA Air Açores, Iberia, KLM, and Air France, have been most impacted, with delays particularly high for long-haul routes.

The affected passengers are facing an array of issues ranging from the inconvenience of extended wait times at airports to uncertainty about rebooking and flight rescheduling.

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Airports, Cities and Countries Affected by the Disruptions

The following airports have seen significant disruptions:

• Turkey (Istanbul): With 1 cancellation and a staggering 94 delays, this major hub in Turkey is at the centre of the travel disruption. The extensive delays have been particularly felt on connecting international flights.
• Iberia (Spain): Spain’s Iberia airline is one of the hardest hit, recording 8 cancellations and 34 delays. Madrid and Barcelona have been among the most affected cities, with passengers facing longer waiting times due to delayed flights from Spain to other European destinations and beyond.
• Paris (Air France): With 2 cancellations and 94 delays, Paris’s Air France flights have been significantly affected. The French capital continues to serve as a vital international transit hub, and the disruptions are causing major inconvenience for both leisure and business travellers.
• Netherlands (KLM): KLM has also faced a large number of delays, with 57 delayed flights, as well as 5 cancellations. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is seeing long queues and customer frustration.
• Switzerland (Swiss): Swiss Airlines has had 3 cancellations and 28 delays, with Zurich and Geneva airports affected. The delays are causing problems for travellers trying to connect through the Swiss airline’s network.

AirportCancellationsDelaysAmsterdam Schiphol (AMS)6129Copenhagen (CPH)453Charles de Gaulle/Roissy, Paris (CDG)253Flores, Azores (FLW)40Geneva Cointrin Int’l (GVA)112Istanbul Airport (IST)194Lajes Air Base Int., Terceira (TER)137London Heathrow (LHR)142Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL)331Ponta Delgada Joao Paulo II, Azores (PDL)66Porto / Oporto (OPO)121Vienna Int’l (Schwechat) (VIE)118Vnukovo, Moscow (VKO)328Warsaw Frederic Chopin (WAW)137Zurich (Kloten) (ZRH)360

Affected Airlines: A Look at the Major Carriers

Several major European airlines are among those that have faced considerable disruption:

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• SATA Air Açores has faced the highest number of cancellations, with 15 flights cancelled and 6 delayed. This has had a major impact on flights to and from the Azores.
• British Airways has experienced 1 cancellation and 39 delays, affecting several European and transatlantic routes.
• Sunrise (Russia) and UTair (Russia) both faced minor disruptions, with 4 cancellations and 2 delays for Sunrise and 3 cancellations with 16 delays for UTair, particularly affecting Russian outbound flights.
• Cityjet (Ireland) saw 4 cancellations and 8 delays, largely affecting flights between Ireland and the UK and mainland Europe.
• SAS Link and SAS (Scandinavian) both suffered delays across their routes, with the former seeing 3 cancellations and 5 delays, while the latter saw 1 cancellation and 29 delays. These disruptions have hit Scandinavian passengers particularly hard, as they are experiencing long waiting times in multiple airports.

AirlineCancellationsDelaysSATA Air Açores156Iberia (Spain)834KLM (Netherlands)557Cityjet (Ireland)48Sunrise (Russia)42Swiss (Switzerland)328UTair (Russia)316SAS Link (Scandinavian)35Air France (France)294British Airways (UK)139SAS (Scandinavian)129Air Europa Express (Spain)116Austrian Airlines (Austria)14Transavia Airlines (Netherlands)14

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For passengers who are facing delays or cancellations, the first step is to check the airline’s website or app for real-time updates. Many airlines are offering options for rebooking or refunds due to these disruptions.

Here are some steps that affected passengers can take:

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1. Check for Alternate Flights: Passengers can check with their airlines or through flight search engines for alternative flights on the same day or the following days.
2. Rebook or Request Refund: Most affected airlines, including Air France, Iberia, and SAS, are offering rebooking options or full refunds for passengers affected by cancellations.
3. Travel Insurance: If you have travel insurance, check if your policy covers flight delays or cancellations. Many insurance providers offer compensation for missed connections or extended delays.
4. Stay in Touch with Airlines: Airlines like British Airways, KLM, and Swiss have dedicated customer service lines to assist passengers in rebooking flights. Social media is also a good avenue to get the most immediate updates.

What This Means for European Travel

The disruption seen across Europe is a reminder of the fragility of air travel, particularly during periods of operational challenges, whether due to weather, staffing issues, or other logistical problems. With a total of 51 cancellations and 599 delays, passengers are advised to keep updated on their flight status and to plan ahead for potential delays. It’s also crucial for travellers to stay flexible with their travel plans, especially when dealing with long-haul routes or international connections.

As airports and airlines work to recover from these disruptions, passengers should continue to exercise patience and follow the guidance of their airlines for rebooking or compensation options.

Source: FlightAware and affected aiports