European airports crippled by extreme heat and storms

Severe heat and associated thunderstorms across Europe forced major airports to suspend or limit operations on June 27‑28, 2026. In London, Heathrow recorded at least 471 delayed flights and Gatwick 439, with British Airways and easyJet cancelling roughly 200 flights each and about 35,000 passengers left stranded. Similar disruptions were reported at Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris‑Charles de Gaulle and Berlin Brandenburg, where storms caused extensive delays and cancellations.

In Warsaw, a runway at Chopin Airport was closed after routine inspections revealed surface cracking exacerbated by high temperatures. Traffic was rerouted to the remaining runway, prompting expected delays until night‑time repairs could be completed. Airport officials warned that the heat complicates the setting of sealing material, but aim to restore full operations by Monday morning.

Both incidents illustrate how the ongoing heatwave is affecting runway safety, flight schedules and passenger rights across several European hubs.