Real-time data compiled by AirHelp shows that 9 March saw 212 flight cancellations and 1,698 delays across Europe, with London Heathrow alone accounting for 44 cancellations and 195 delays—more than any other airport tracked. Manchester logged a further 12 cancellations and 105 delays, meaning UK hubs represented nearly one-third of total disruption. A convergence of factors—staff shortages, early-spring weather and teething issues with new ETA carrier-verification software—contributed to longer check-in times and missed slot windows. British Airways and EasyJet bore the brunt, but delays cascaded through codeshare partners, affecting North-American connections and time-critical business meetings scheduled for the following morning in London. Under EU Regulation 261, many travellers may be entitled to compensation of up to €600, yet awareness remains low. AirHelp reports a surge in claims from corporate travellers whose EU-bound meetings were derailed. Travel-management companies are advising clients to build longer layovers into itineraries until operational kinks in the ETA permission-to-travel system stabilise. Airport authorities say they are rapidly onboarding additional staff and refining automated document-check kiosks. Nevertheless, mobility managers should anticipate rolling disruption through the Easter peak and re-confirm all same-day connections through Heathrow and Manchester.
Source: AirHelp
