European Air Travel Crippled by Snowstorms and Strikes
Europe’s air travel faced significant challenges on February 15 and 16, 2026, due to severe snowstorms and strikes. This combination disrupted hundreds of thousands of passengers across major airports.
Impact of Snowstorms on Air Travel
The chaos began with a snow band moving from Benelux into Germany. Eurocontrol reported more than 700 flight cancellations and over 5,000 delays. Key airports struggled as snowfall and labor actions impacted schedules.
Major Airports Affected
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: Half of its scheduled flights were delayed or canceled, with KLM facing 147 cancellations and 102 delays.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: A 30% flight reduction led to 196 cancellations.
- London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports: British Airways canceled 17 flights and delayed 211, while easyJet faced 521 delayed flights.
- Munich Airport: Reported 233 delays and 9 cancellations.
- Frankfurt International Airport: Experienced 10 cancellations and 126 delays.
Labor Actions Compounding Delays
February 16 saw a strike by Lufthansa pilots and cabin crew, grounding around 800 flights. This disruption stranded approximately 100,000 passengers across Germany and other European hubs.
Domino Effect on Connections
The strike and snowstorm created a widespread network mess, impacting flights beyond Germany. Cities like Budapest, Vienna, and Zurich faced delayed connections. Vital cargo operations were also compromised due to lost passenger flight capacity.
Travelers were advised to remain flexible. Those with canceled flights were entitled to refunds or reroutes. Airlines were obligated to provide care, including meals and accommodations when necessary.
Advice for Affected Travelers
- Request rerouting through partnering airports like Zurich or Vienna.
- Keep receipts for expenses incurred during cancellations.
- Stay updated on flight statuses frequently.
Continued Disruptions and Cautions
Despite the snow tapering off, further delays were anticipated because of wind and potential storms. Transportation systems remained on alert, with the Dutch national railway predicting additional delays.
The events of February 15 and 16 underscored the vulnerability of Europe’s air travel network. Airlines and travelers must be prepared for quick changes in circumstances, reminding us of the fragility of winter travel plans.
As Europe works to recover, patience and preparedness will be key for all involved in air travel during challenging conditions.
