Europe — A severe winter weather system combined with labor disruptions has thrown Europe’s aviation network into chaos, grounding flights and stranding travelers across the continent on February 15–16, 2026.  

 

Severe Weather Slashes Schedules

Winter storms moving eastward across Benelux, northern France, the United Kingdom and Germany forced major hubs to significantly cut flight operations.  

• At Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), one of Europe’s busiest hubs, airlines canceled nearly half of all scheduled flights as snow and icy runways hampered operations.  

• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) implemented a 30% reduction in flights, while Paris Orly (ORY) slashed around 20% of departures and arrivals amid hazardous runway conditions.  

• London Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) reported widespread delays and cancellations due to frozen aprons and limited ground handling capacity.  

 

According to aviation analytics, more than 733 flights were canceled and over 5,000 delayed across airports in the Netherlands, France, the UK, Germany and other European states as the snowstorm impacted both short-haul and international services.  

 

✈️ Strike Action Worsens Disruption

On February 16, the situation deteriorated further when pilots and cabin crew at Lufthansa launched industrial action, compounding weather-related delays. The strike grounded approximately 800 flights, disrupting travel for an estimated 100,000 passengers at major German hubs including Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC).  

 

Network Ripple Effects

 

The combined impact of adverse weather and labor action led to a continent-wide ripple effect across airline schedules:

• Munich Airport logged around 233 delayed flights with several cancellations.  

• Frankfurt International Airport recorded over 100 delays even before strike action took hold.  

• Smaller hubs such as Warsaw and Athens also saw disruptions as aircraft rotations and connections were impacted.  

 

Cargo operations have also suffered as the loss of belly hold capacity on passenger aircraft tightened freight space, particularly for perishable and express shipments.  

 

Passenger Impact and Rights

 

Travelers faced crowded terminals and long waits as airlines attempted rebooking and rerouting. Under EU aviation passenger rights, those affected by cancellations are entitled to refunds, rerouting, and compensation depending on the length and nature of the delay.  

Meteorological agencies warn that continued unstable winter conditions could prolong travel disruption, particularly in northern and central Europe. Airlines and airports are urging passengers to check flight statuses frequently and prepare for ongoing delays as networks struggle to recover.