Last updated: November 12, 2025
Every summer puts Europe’s airports to the test, and 2025 was no exception. Passenger numbers reached record levels, and with them came a sharp rise in flight disruptions. Based on SkyRefund’s internal compensation data, this report reveals which airports recorded the most delays and cancellations in Europe during the busiest months: June, July and August.
From staffing shortages to air-traffic control restrictions, the summer of 2025 exposed just how fragile Europe’s aviation network can be when demand peaks.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Based on SkyRefund’s internal data, the most delayed airports in Europe for the period of June and August 2025 are the following:
Together, these airports were responsible for 20.7% of all claims received by SkyRefund. This includes claims for flight delays, cancellations and denied boarding across Europe.
London Heathrow concentrated 3.7% of all disrupted flights this summer, representing tens of thousands of disrupted passengers.
According to Eurocontrol, Heathrow recorded some of the longest average departure delays in Western Europe, exceeding 22 minutes per flight. Cirium’s September 2025 report also listed Heathrow among Europe’s five least punctual airports. The most disrupted routes included London–Paris, London–Amsterdam, and London–New York, where storms and ATC restrictions caused cascading delays.
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport accounted for 2.4% of all disrupted flights, making it one of Europe’s most delay-affected airports. Eurocontrol cited regional ATC congestion and heat-related runway limits as main contributors. Cirium’s data showed Belgrade’s punctuality dropping below 70%, the lowest in the Balkans.
The most disrupted routes included London Heathrow, Zurich, and Istanbul, with recurrent delays and cancellations.
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) accounted for 2.4% of all flight disruptions. Handling nearly 20 million passengers in three months, CDG faced industrial action, ATC restrictions, and adverse weather conditions. According to Eurocontrol, there was an average delay of 21 minutes per flight, while Cirium ranked CDG’s punctuality at 72%.
Delays were common on Paris–London, Paris–Amsterdam, and transatlantic flights to New York and Montreal.
Amsterdam Schiphol accounted for 2.3% of all disrupted flights, with on-time performance of 73%, one of Europe’s sharpest declines year-on-year. Eurocontrol attributed the rise in delays to ATC restrictions in the Benelux region and staff shortages, particularly in security and baggage handling.
The most disrupted routes were Amsterdam–London, Amsterdam–Paris, and Amsterdam–Frankfurt, where capacity constraints and high demand caused recurring issues.
London Gatwick Airport accounted for 2.2% of all disrupted flights this summer.
Eurocontrol noted average departure delays exceeding 18 minutes, while Cirium ranked punctuality at 74%. Operating with a single runway, Gatwick remains particularly vulnerable to summer congestion.
The most affected routes included Dublin, Paris, and Palma de Mallorca, classic leisure destinations where disruptions often lead to overbooked flight rights and compensation claims.
Atatürk International Airport accounted for 2.1% of all disrupted flights.
According to Eurocontrol, southeastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean experienced major airspace congestion and heat-related restrictions in July.
Frequent problems occurred on flights to London Gatwick, Belgrade, and Athens. Passengers who were denied boarding on these services may be eligible for denied boarding compensation.
Frankfurt Airport accounted for 1.6% of all affected flights, with average delays of 17 minutes per flight, largely due to thunderstorms and runway congestion.
Cirium’s September data showed punctuality at 76%, slightly below the European average.
The most affected routes were Frankfurt–London, Frankfurt–Paris, and Frankfurt–Chicago. Travelers can consult their overbooked flight rights if affected by cancellations or denied boarding.
Paris Orly Airport represented 1.4% of all flight disruptions filed during the summer of 2025, making it the second French airport in the top ten for flight disruptions. Primarily serving domestic and European short-haul routes, Orly handled nearly 10 million passengers between June and August.
The airport faced several operational challenges linked to runway maintenance, local ATC restrictions, and severe thunderstorms that impacted northern France throughout July.
Cirium’s September 2025 on-time performance ranking placed Orly at around 77% punctuality, with a noticeable increase in departure delays compared to 2024.
The most delayed flights included domestic routes to Nice and Marseille, plus short-haul services to Lisbon and Rome.
Manchester Airport accounted for 1.3% of all flight disruptions. Handling beyond 7 million passengers over the three-month period, Manchester serves as a key hub for both leisure and business travel across northern England.
Eurocontrol identified ground handling shortages and airspace congestion as key factors. Cirium placed its on-time performance at 78%, slightly below the EU average.
The most delayed routes were to Dublin, Amsterdam, and Alicante, where high summer demand and limited runway slots contributed to frequent departure delays and flight cancellations.
Barcelona El Prat Airport accounted for 1.3% of all disrupted flights during the summer of 2025, rounding out the list of Europe’s ten most disrupted airports.
As Spain’s second-busiest hub after Madrid, El Prat handled nearly 13 million passengers between June and August, according to Eurocontrol’s European Aviation Overview (October 2025).
Eurocontrol data linked disruptions to runway congestion and heat-related restrictions. Cirium reported punctuality at 79%, with delays peaking in late July.
The most disrupted routes included short-haul services to Paris, London Gatwick, and Lisbon, as well as holiday routes to Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza, where flight frequency and turnaround pressure contributed to recurrent schedule delays.
This ranking was created using SkyRefund’s internal database of verified compensation claims from summer 2025.
The dataset includes delays, cancellations, and denied boarding, though delays were more frequent. As most disruptions occur at the departure airport, the list focuses on the top ten sources of affected flights.
Our ranking is based on claims eligible for compensation. This includes delays over 3 hours at the time of arrival, flight cancellations within 14 days of departure, and denied boarding.
To validate these findings, SkyRefund cross-referenced its internal data with official aviation statistics and industry performance reports, including Eurocontrol’s Summer 2025 delay briefings and Cirium’s September 2025 Airlines & Airports On-Time Performance Report.
Under EU Regulation 261/2004 and UK261 passenger rights, passengers delayed by more than three hours or whose flights are cancelled may be entitled to up to €600 / £520.
These laws also apply to compensation for missed connections and other disruptions within airline control.
To learn more about the rules, eligibility criteria, and how to submit a claim, see our detailed guide on flight delay compensation under EU261.
When flight disruptions happen, SkyRefund manages the process on your behalf, from eligibility checks to airline communication.
With over eight years of legal experience, a global network operating in 12 languages, and a 98% success rate, SkyRefund has helped over one million passengers claim what they’re owed.
You can find out if your flight is eligible for compensation or access our free compensation calculator in minutes.
Our goal is simple: to make flight compensation fast, fair, and effortless for every passenger.
If you found this report useful, you may also be interested in:
What Were The Reasons For Flight Delays This Summer?
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