44 Flights Cancelled and 157 Delayed Across Air France, EasyJet, and Brussels Airlines: Major Disruptions Hit France, Portugal, Belgium, and Italy as Passengers Face Chaos—What You Need to Know About the Affected Routes and Airports

Severe weather conditions have caused major disruptions across Europe and Asia, leading to widespread flight cancellations. Airlines including Air France, EasyJet, and Brussels Airlines have been hit particularly hard, with over 40 flights cancelled across their respective networks. These cancellations are primarily due to bad weather conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, and other adverse weather events. This disruption has led to significant frustration for passengers, particularly those traveling to and from major European cities and airports. This article details the affected airlines, key routes, and the broader implications of these cancellations on local tourism and passengers.

Overview of Cancellations

The airlines affected by the weather-related cancellations include Air France, EasyJet, and Brussels Airlines, all of which are significant players in the European aviation market. Flight cancellations have impacted a wide range of airports in several countries, with thousands of passengers affected. These disruptions were primarily caused by severe weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, heavy winds, and poor visibility, leading to delays and cancellations on key routes.

Number of Flights Cancelled

In total, over 44 flights were cancelled across these three airlines. Specifically:

• Air France (AFR): 19 cancellations, including flights between major European airports like Charles de Gaulle (Paris), Lisbon, and Florence.
• EasyJet (EZY): 20 cancellations, affecting cities like Faro, Porto, Barcelona, and Madeira.
• Brussels Airlines (BEL): 5 cancellations, including flights to and from Brussels, Conakry, and Roberts International Airport.

Key Affected Airports

The weather-induced flight cancellations have primarily affected the following major airports:

Air France:

• Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) – Paris, France
• General Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) – Lisbon, Portugal
• Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR) – Florence, Italy
• Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) – Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) – Marseille, France

EasyJet:

• Faro Airport (FAO) – Faro, Portugal
• Malpensa Airport (MXP) – Milan, Italy
• Porto / Oporto Airport (OPO) – Porto, Portugal
• Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) – Barcelona, Spain
• Madeira Airport (FNC) – Funchal, Madeira
• Lyon Airport (LYS) – Lyon, France

Brussels Airlines:

• Brussels Airport (BRU) – Brussels, Belgium
• Conakry International Airport (CKY) – Conakry, Guinea
• Roberts International Airport (ROB) – Monrovia, Liberia

Key Affected Regions

The weather disruptions and flight cancellations have had significant impacts on both local regions and tourism. Key areas affected include:

Air France:

• Paris and Ile-de-France Region: With multiple cancellations at Charles de Gaulle, a significant number of flights were affected, particularly to Lisbon and Florence, two major tourist destinations.
• Lisbon and the Lisbon District: The Lisbon region faced numerous cancellations, affecting not only business but also leisure travel.

EasyJet:

• Faro and the Algarve Region: As a popular tourist destination in southern Portugal, Faro has seen disruptions in travel, especially during peak tourist months.
• Porto and the Northern Region of Portugal: Porto was hit by cancellations, impacting travelers to the north of the country.

Brussels Airlines:

• Brussels and the Flanders Region: Brussels, as the capital of Europe, saw significant delays and cancellations at the main airport, affecting travelers heading to Africa and other parts of Europe.

Affected Routes and Cities

The following routes were most significantly impacted due to cancellations:

Air France:

• Paris (CDG) to Lisbon (LIS): Flight AFR1194 was cancelled, leaving passengers stranded at both ends.
• Paris (CDG) to Florence (FLR): AFR1767 and AFR1267 were affected, creating a bottleneck of cancellations from Italy to France.
• Paris (CDG) to Amsterdam (AMS): AFR1240, a key connection, was grounded.

EasyJet:

• Faro (FAO) to London Gatwick (LGW): EasyJet flight EZY8532 was cancelled due to high winds and severe rain.
• Faro (FAO) to Geneva (GVA): Flight EZY1460 was grounded, impacting passengers heading for Swiss destinations.
• Porto (OPO) to Bordeaux (BOD): EZY1874 faced cancellations, with bad weather affecting multiple routes to and from France.
• Madeira (FNC) to Amsterdam (AMS): EZY7966 was also affected by weather disruptions in Portugal and Spain.

Brussels Airlines:

• Brussels (BRU) to Conakry (CKY): BEL397 was grounded, impacting travelers heading to West Africa.
• Brussels (BRU) to Monrovia (ROB): BEL395 was cancelled, disrupting connections between Europe and Liberia.

Devastating Disruptions: Passenger Impact and Recovery in the Wake of Mass Cancellations

The True Toll on Passengers: Stranded and Frustrated
For thousands of passengers, severe weather-related cancellations have left them stranded, scrambling to find alternate flights or, worse, stuck with limited options. The peak travel season, typically a time for stress-free getaways, became a chaotic whirlwind as major airlines including Air France, EasyJet, and Brussels Airlines were forced to ground flights without warning. In airports like Paris, Lisbon, and Brussels, crowds swelled as passengers sought rebookings, faced long wait times, and experienced frustration with limited customer service support.
The impact was felt across both short-haul and long-haul routes, with key European connections, including flights to Lisbon, Florence, and Porto, the hardest hit. For travelers relying on these major hubs, the disruption has been nothing short of a nightmare. Many were left with no immediate alternative but to wait for days, potentially missing crucial meetings, vacations, or connections.

What Travelers Can Do: Turning Frustration Into Action

With the chaos surrounding cancellations, it’s critical for passengers to stay informed and take proactive steps in navigating the disruptions. First, ensure you’re fully aware of your airline’s cancellation policy. Airlines like Air France, EasyJet, and Brussels Airlines are usually required to offer compensation or rebook flights on the next available service.
Second, patience is key—long hold times and overburdened customer support channels can frustrate even the most seasoned traveler. Use airline apps or online chat features for quicker responses.
For those with tight schedules or missed connections, consider alternative routes. If your flight is cancelled, inquire about available routes through partner airlines or alternative airports nearby. You might find an easier connection from a different airport or through a less congested airline.
Lastly, travel insurance becomes crucial during these times. It can mitigate not only the financial strain of lost bookings but also assist in accommodations during the extended layovers. Always check your policy’s coverage for cancellations, accommodations, and missed connections.

Tourism in Crisis: The Ripple Effect on Local Economies

The impact of widespread flight cancellations extends far beyond the airports and passenger frustration; local tourism economies are also feeling the strain. Major cities like Paris, Lisbon, and Porto—key tourist destinations in Europe—saw an immediate downturn in visitor numbers. Particularly in Portugal’s Algarve region, tourism businesses that rely on flights from across Europe faced abrupt drops in arrivals.
Hotels, restaurants, and cultural sites that were expecting tourists during peak travel months suddenly found themselves underbooked, leading to financial losses. As an example, Lisbon, a city that thrives on tourism, saw a marked decline in foot traffic to its famous historic landmarks and museums. Local operators who depend on steady tourist inflow found themselves scrambling to mitigate losses.
Further, Paris faced a similar crisis as business tourism—one of the city’s most lucrative sectors—suffered from missed connections and cancellations, affecting not just leisure travelers but also crucial international corporate guests. These disruptions affect not only the larger hospitality chains but also the small-scale businesses like local guides, taxi services, and even the boutique shops scattered throughout the city.

How Can The Industry Bounce Back From This Crisis?

Despite the challenges caused by these disruptions, the tourism industry can—and will—bounce back. There is a tremendous opportunity here for airlines, airports, and tourism boards to rethink their operational strategies. Streamlined communication, proactive alerts, and improved real-time tracking systems can alleviate much of the frustration travelers face.
As airlines refine their processes, implementing more intuitive apps for easier rebooking and better notifications will help passengers stay informed about delays or cancellations. Airlines should also partner with local tourism boards to offer discounted accommodations, meal vouchers, and other services for stranded passengers. This collaboration would not only boost the morale of stranded travelers but also help support local businesses during a challenging period.
Tourism boards should ensure their cities are not defined solely by disruptions. In Lisbon, for example, offering alternative activities—such as offering shuttle services to nearby towns, last-minute bookings for cultural experiences, or even hosting pop-up events for unexpected visitors—can reduce the negative effects.

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