France, Italy and Portugal are hit hardest with thousands of flight cancellations but the repercussions spread throughout Europe
Europe’s air travel nightmare continues to worsen as the summer travel season reaches its peak.
Flyers traversing the region are grappling with a surge in delayed flights, lengthy queues, frequent cancellations, and misplaced or lost baggage.
France, Italy and Portugal are hit hardest with thousands of flight cancellations, but the repercussions spread throughout Europe.
Why?
Aviation unions across the continent are on strike, causing chaos and frustration for travelers.
Shortages in air-traffic controllers, wildfires and the war in Ukraine have also contributed to disruptions.
FlightAware data shows that this year’s flying season saw 29% more delays than the previous year, with over a third of the top 50 European airports facing delays of 15+ minutes between May 1 and August 1.
Tips for travelers
- Stay informed, sign up for airline travel alerts and check news updates.
- Arrive prepared, and search for alternative flights, nearby airports, and train routes to your destination.
- Explore alternatives and tap into trip insurance from premium credit cards.
- Consider approaching a travel advisor.