All articles tagged with #airport disruptions
Germany has recorded over 1,000 suspicious drone flights in 2025, raising security concerns and causing disruptions at airports and military sites. While some suspect Russian involvement, authorities believe state actors may be behind the sightings to sow uncertainty. In response, Germany has established a joint counter-drone center and ordered anti-aircraft tanks to enhance drone defense capabilities.
Britain is sending experts and equipment to Belgium to help combat disruptive drone sightings that have caused airport closures and disruptions across Europe, with concerns over potential links to hybrid warfare involving Russia.
Belgium's security council is convening after recent drone sightings at airports and military bases, causing travel chaos and raising concerns of coordinated, possibly state-sponsored, attacks amid heightened tensions with Russia and increased drone incursions across Europe.
A ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace's passenger processing system caused widespread airport disruptions across Europe, including delays and cancellations, with the EU's cybersecurity agency ENISA confirming the incident but not revealing further details.
The United Arab Emirates experienced its heaviest rainfall in 75 years, causing flooding, flight cancellations, and school closures. The storm disrupted travel at Dubai International Airport, with over 1,200 flights canceled. Videos showed flooded streets, homes, and luxury cars in Dubai. Despite the damage, the rainfall is said to boost the country's groundwater reserves. Nearby Oman also experienced deadly flooding, with more than 20 deaths reported.
The United Arab Emirates continues to grapple with the aftermath of a record-breaking storm that flooded roads, disrupted airport operations, and caused significant delays and cancellations. The storm, which also hit Oman, resulted in one reported death in the UAE and 20 in Oman, with authorities urging government employees and students to stay home while waterlogged roads are cleared. Climate experts attribute the extreme weather event to rising temperatures and increased humidity caused by human-led climate change, exacerbating the risk of flooding in the region.
Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano, located near the country's capital, erupted 13 times in a single day, leading to disruptions at airports in Mexico City and Puebla. Flights were cancelled and rerouted due to safety concerns from volcanic ash, which can pose dangers to aviation. The volcano, which has been active for half a million years, regularly erupts, and its recent activity has prompted warnings for people to avoid climbing it.
Technical issues at Denver International Airport have caused the underground trains to run at limited capacity, leading to long wait times and disruptions for passengers. Buses are being used to transport some passengers from the terminal to their concourses, and engineers are working to resolve the issues. Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 30 minutes earlier than planned, and the technical issues are expected to affect operations throughout the day.
Storm Isha caused chaos for airline passengers in Europe, leading to flight diversions, cancellations, and go-arounds at various airports in Ireland and the UK. Strong winds of up to 90 mph affected travel, with many flights being diverted to different countries and experiencing significant delays. Aviation professionals and passengers faced challenges, but safety measures and contingency plans were in place to ensure the well-being of everyone involved.
More than 1,400 U.S. flights were canceled and over 3,000 were delayed on Tuesday due to ongoing extreme winter weather, with United Airlines experiencing the most cancellations. Airports such as LaGuardia and Newark International were heavily affected, while Alaska Airlines also faced high cancellation rates due to the ongoing investigation into Boeing's 737 Max 9 aircraft. Overall, only 36% of U.S. carriers were departing on time.
Climate activists in Germany disrupted flights at two airports by gluing themselves to runways, causing delays and cancellations. The group, called Last Generation, demanded tougher government action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and criticized officials for lacking a strategy to tackle the climate crisis. The activists also targeted traffic in Munich. The protesters will face charges of disturbing the peace and dangerous interference with aviation. Last Generation insists its protests are peaceful but disruptive, and motorists have sometimes attacked the activists. German prosecutors previously raided the homes of several group members on suspicion of supporting a criminal organization.
Delays and cancellations at U.S. airports are worsening ahead of the long July 4 holiday weekend, posing a significant challenge for airlines struggling to handle the surge in passenger numbers. Thunderstorms along the East Coast have been causing the most disruptions, with over 2,000 flights delayed and more than 700 canceled. The FAA temporarily grounded flights to major airports in the New York City area and the Washington D.C. region due to the weather. Additionally, the possibility of 5G wireless service interfering with airline operations in bad weather further complicates the situation. United Airlines and JetBlue have been particularly affected, with United canceling over 300 flights and JetBlue canceling 9% of its flights. Passengers have expressed frustration with the lack of customer service and assistance from airlines. The number of air travelers is expected to reach a pandemic-era record over the holiday weekend, with Thursday predicted to be the busiest day. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has criticized airlines for their customer service and scheduling practices, while airlines have blamed FAA staffing shortages for the disruptions.