- Flight Disruptions
- Paris airports hit by 549 delays and 12 cancellations on 3 June
Paris airports hit by 549 delays and 12 cancellations on 3 June
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Checked by Josh Arnfield
Last updated on June 5, 2026
561
Affected flights
3
Affected airports
3
Affected airlines
Disruption overview
A major disruption across Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris Orly Airport, and Gustaf III Airport began on 3 June 2026, reaching 549 delays and 12 cancellations by midday. Air France, Ryanair, and EasyJet were among the airlines dealing with serious knock-on disruption, leaving thousands of passengers stuck in long lines or missing connections.
The cause is still under investigation, and weather doesn't appear to explain the disruption, so it isn't yet clear whether compensation will apply. Even so, airlines should still provide care, rebooking or refunds where relevant, and overnight support if you're stranded. If you were affected, save your receipts and travel documents, and check your rights before you travel again.
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
Passengers flying through Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris Orly Airport, and Gustaf III Airport faced major disruption from the morning of 3 June 2026. By midday, the total had climbed to 549 delays and 12 cancellations. Air France, Ryanair, and EasyJet were among the airlines most affected. For passengers, this meant long waits, missed plans, and very little certainty at the airport.
The disruption wasn't limited to one terminal or one route. Thousands of travelers were left trying to rebook journeys as departure halls filled up, queues grew, and airline desks struggled to keep pace. Some passengers were held at gates for hours with minimal updates, while others missed onward long-haul connections and had to reroute or postpone their trips.
By midday, the airport-by-airport picture looked like this:
Charles de Gaulle Airport saw 380 delays and 5 cancellations.
Paris Orly Airport recorded 153 delays and 3 cancellations.
Gustaf III Airport in Saint Barthélemy reported 16 delays and 4 cancellations.
The knock-on effects spread quickly across the network. Aircraft and crews were pushed out of position, some flights were diverted to secondary airports in France and neighboring European countries, and nearby lounges and hotels filled up as stranded passengers looked for somewhere to wait.
The cause still hasn't been confirmed. France's civil aviation authority, the DGAC, is investigating with Paris Aéroports and the affected airlines. Clear local weather means an immediate weather problem doesn't appear to explain what happened, so investigators are looking at possibilities including air traffic flow restrictions, technical or IT issues, or staffing shortages.
Airport operators expect schedules to largely stabilize within 24 hours once displaced aircraft complete their rotations. Even so, some residual delays may continue into the next day as airlines work aircraft, crews, and passengers back into place.
If your flight was affected, your rights don't depend on the investigation being finished before the airline helps you. Under EC 261, carriers still have to provide care during major delays and cancellations. That can include meals and refreshments, two free communications, and, if you need to stay overnight, accommodation and transport between the airport and your hotel. You should also be offered rerouting or a refund where the rules apply.
Compensation is less clear right now. Until the DGAC confirms the cause, it isn't possible to say for certain whether affected passengers can claim up to US$650 compensation under EC 261. If the disruption is ultimately treated as an operational problem within the airlines' or airports' control, some claims may still succeed. If it's found to have been caused by something outside the airlines' control, compensation may not apply.
If you're caught up in this disruption, keep your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any receipts for food, transport, or hotel costs. It also helps to ask your airline for written confirmation of the delay or cancellation. If you want a clearer view of your options, you can check your flight with AirHelp's free flight checker.
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.
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
Flights affected
561
Airlines affected
Air France, Ryanair, Easyjet
Airports affected
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Gustaf III Airport
Cities affected
Paris, Saint Barthélemy, Gustavia
Countries affected
France, Guadeloupe
Start date
2026-06-03
Checked by
Josh Arnfield
Date updated
June 5, 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.
