Hundreds of British holidaymakers are currently stranded at Palma Airport in Majorca after a wave of flight delays and cancellations blamed on “air traffic control restrictions.” The disruption, mostly affecting easyJet passengers, follows a string of weather-related delays across Europe and renewed criticism of ATC systems by airline bosses.
Families returning from half-term holidays were left scrambling to find alternative travel options. One traveller, Beth Rafferty from East Sussex, ended up spending over £1,800 on new flights and emergency accommodation to get her children back to the UK in time for school.
Despite the inconvenience, travellers have been told they likely won’t be compensated, sparking fresh frustration during an already chaotic travel period.
What It Is
According to reports, deteriorating weather across Northern Europe triggered severe air traffic control (ATC) restrictions, affecting flight schedules across the continent. At Palma Airport alone, over 120 flights were delayed and several were cancelled especially those scheduled around 7pm local time.
While fewer than 10 flights were officially axed, they included key services to the UK. easyJet was hit hardest, with passengers like Beth Rafferty and her family being notified of cancellations just before boarding. Travellers were told their flights were grounded “due to air traffic control restrictions”—but many say the reasons and responses have been unclear and inconsistent.
This comes shortly after Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary warned of record-breaking flight delays in summer 2025 due to poor ATC infrastructure in Europe.
So What? Insights
This situation shines a spotlight on several deep-rooted issues in the European travel system:
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ATC Capacity Strain: With summer traffic already surging, weather disruptions are revealing just how fragile the air traffic control infrastructure is. Delays are increasingly frequent, and cancellations often seem random and poorly communicated.
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Lack of Passenger Support: Travellers are bearing the brunt, not only emotionally but financially. In many cases, families like Beth’s are shelling out thousands to rebook flights and secure last-minute accommodation only to be told they won’t be compensated.
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Poor Communication: One of the biggest frustrations among travellers is the lack of clear information. Flights from other airlines continued to depart, leaving passengers confused as to why some planes were grounded and others were not.
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Key Implications
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Travel Chaos Could Get Worse: With major airlines forecasting more ATC problems through summer 2025, similar disruptions are likely. Travellers should prepare for delays, cancellations, and last-minute rerouting especially during peak holiday periods.
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Consumer Rights in Question: If airlines avoid responsibility by blaming ATC or weather, many passengers could find themselves out of pocket. Calls for clearer compensation rules and faster resolution systems may grow louder.
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Operational Pressure on Airlines: Carriers like easyJet and Jet2 are facing pressure to manage expectations and offer better support even when delays aren’t directly their fault. Their reputation with customers is at risk.
Practical Takeaways
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Buy Flexible or Refundable Tickets: Consider paying slightly more for tickets that allow for changes or refunds, especially during high-traffic seasons.
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Get Comprehensive Travel Insurance: Choose a policy that covers flight delays, cancellations, and emergency accommodation. Not all basic plans do.
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Arrive Early and Monitor Updates: Use your airline’s app and airport boards for real-time updates. Some passengers were notified by email moments before boarding.
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Document Everything: Keep all receipts, emails, and screenshots. Even if initial compensation is denied, you may be able to claim later through airline complaints or consumer protection bodies like UK CAA or EU Regulation 261.
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Final Thoughts
The scene at Palma Airport reflects a broader pattern in European air travel—rising demand, unreliable systems, and limited recourse for stranded passengers. Beth Rafferty’s experience, while frustrating, is far from unique.
With summer just beginning, travellers should brace themselves for more turbulence—on the ground, not just in the sky.
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