- Flight Disruptions
- KLM and Air France among carriers hit by Europe-wide delays and cancellations
KLM and Air France among carriers hit by Europe-wide delays and cancellations
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Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on March 24, 2026
3
Affected airports
10
Affected airlines
3
Affected airports
10
Affected airlines
Disruption overview
From early February to mid-March 2026, repeated disruption affected major European hubs, with KLM and Air France among airlines reporting widespread delays and cancellations. On March 10 alone, there were 333 cancellations and 2,396 delays, with Amsterdam Schiphol hardest hit. Causes cited included adverse weather, staffing shortages and airspace restrictions, with passengers urged to follow airline updates.
Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to US$650 under passenger rights regulations. Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the disruption.
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Disruption details
Summary of disruptions
Between early February and mid-March 2026, airlines across Europe experienced repeated operational disruption, with widespread delays and cancellations at major hubs. Impacts were recorded across Scandinavia, the Netherlands, France, the UK, Germany and Turkey, with several dates showing substantial network strain.
Feb 7–8, 2026: Over 1,083 delays and 45 cancellations across major airports including Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam and Helsinki. Affected airlines included KLM, SAS, Iberia, easyJet and Air France.
Mar 7, 2026: At least 181 cancellations and more than 800 delays across London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Istanbul. Airlines affected included Ryanair, British Airways, KLM, Air France and Pegasus.
Mar 10, 2026: 333 cancellations and 2,396 delays across 15 major airports. Amsterdam’s Schiphol was the most affected, with 60 cancellations and 434 delays. KLM recorded 43 cancellations and 207 delays on this date.
Mar 11, 2026: 86 cancellations and 380 delays across key airports in France, the Netherlands, Belgium and beyond. Finnair, KLM and Eurowings were among the affected carriers.
Airlines and airports impacted
Affected carriers included KLM, Air France, SAS, Iberia, easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Pegasus, Finnair and Eurowings. Key airports referenced were Schiphol Airport, London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle, with additional impacts across cities such as Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Helsinki, London, Paris, Frankfurt and Istanbul.
Causes and operational context
Contributing factors varied by date and location, including adverse weather, staffing shortages, air traffic flow restrictions in French airspace and geopolitical tensions affecting Middle East airspace. Residual effects and tight recovery windows, particularly around Amsterdam, led to cascading delays even after local conditions improved.
What passengers should know
Airlines adjusted schedules, rerouted aircraft and managed crew availability as they worked through backlogs. Passengers were advised to follow official airline and airport updates closely due to changing flight statuses and potential missed connections.
In the event of cancellations or significant delays for flights departing from or arriving in the European Union, travelers are typically entitled to care such as meals, accommodation and re-routing, and may be eligible for compensation depending on the circumstances.
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
Past disruption
Compensation
May qualify for compensation
Airlines affected
KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Iberia, Easyjet, Ryanair, British Airways, Pegasus Airlines, Finnair, Eurowings
Airports affected
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, London Heathrow Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Cities affected
Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Helsinki, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Istanbul
Countries affected
France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom
Start date
2026-02-07
End date
2026-03-11
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
March 24, 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, canceled, 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.
