Travel chaos across UK and Europe as Vueling cancels dozens of flights and delays many more

Brits travelling across Europe are facing delays and flight cancellations at major airports due to bad weather conditions.

Many passengers travelling with Spain's largest carrier, Vueling Airlines, have been left stranded and struggling to find alternatives after 17 flight cancellations and 53 delays.

Some of the affected flights are key routes between major cities such as Barcelona, Valencia, Paris, Lyon, and Florence, as well as popular tourist destinations like Nice and Malaga.

With many flights cancelled or significantly delayed, passengers are facing long wait times and overcrowded terminals, as reported by Travel and Tour World. 

These disruptions, which have unfolded over the past 24 hours, are expected to cause a ripple effect, impacting tens of thousands of travellers trying to navigate some of Europe's busiest transportation hubs.

While the specific reasons behind these operational disruptions have not been fully disclosed by the airline, they have been partly attributed to weather conditions, including scattered thunderstorms. 

A Vueling spokesperson said: 'On November 6, Vueling adapted its flight schedule in response to the adverse weather forecast. 

'This adjustment was made in line with the airport’s updated flight rate guidelines and applied equally to all airlines operating that day. 

'All affected customers were informed in advance and offered the option to change their flights free of charge. 

'Despite these necessary adjustments, Vueling confirms that operations today are running smoothly.'

Many passengers travelling with Spain's largest carrier, Vueling Airlines, have been left stranded and struggling to find alternatives after 17 flight cancellations and 53 delays

Some of the affected flights are key routes between major cities such as Barcelona, Valencia, Paris, Lyon, and Florence, as well as popular tourist destinations like Nice and Malaga. Barcelona International Airport is pictured 

It comes as International Airline Group (IAG), which owns Vueling, British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia, reported a two per cent increase in their third quarter earnings to £1.8billion. That is up from £1.77 billion a year ago, according to The Standard.

Pre-tax profits in the three months to the end of September fell by 2.1 per cent to £1.64 billion. That is compared with £1.68 billion during the same period last year.

IAG reported a 2.4 per cent increase in its capacity but a 2.4 per cent decline in passenger revenue.

The company said the North Atlantic market saw 'some softness in US point of sale economy leisure', while prices across its airlines were lower in the European market because of 'high growth by British Airways and more competitive markets elsewhere'.

IAG chief executive Luis Gallego hailed the 'strong set of results', noting that 'we are comparing with a very strong quarter last year'.

He said: 'This performance was driven by the strength of our airline brands and businesses across our core market, where we continue to see robust demand for air travel.

'Europe continues to be weak but is improving lately, but it's true it is the market that we can say is a little softer. 

'The rest of the world, in general, is positive.'

It comes after Aer Lingus UK cabin crew escalated industrial action by announcing more strike dates, in a further blow to holidaymakers travelling through Manchester Airport this month.

In a further blow to holidaymakers travelling through Manchester Airport this month, Aer Lingus UK cabin crew escalated industrial action by announcing more strike dates

Almost 130 Unite members working for the airline will stage walkouts on 9-11, 14 and 16-18 November, in addition to the strikes scheduled from 30 October to 18 November.

British employees, including check-in staff and cabin crew, for the airline have called the strikes amid a dispute over pay and lower flying allowances than their Dublin-based colleagues. 

Many say years of low pay has left them struggling for essentials, with many having little option but to take on a second job or work more hours to improve their wages, which has left them at risk of burnout.  

Though Aer Lingus recorded an operating profit of €205 million for 2024, employees allege their base salaries are so low that they struggle to afford rent, bills and groceries.

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