More than 1,600 flights were delayed across Europe in a single 24-hour window this week, with London Heathrow and Gatwick recording the worst on-time performance, according to passenger-rights platform AirHelp. As of 10 April, average delays hit 45-60 minutes at Heathrow and 55-75 minutes at Gatwick, disrupting connections for an estimated 240,000 travellers. The backlog began with heavy rain and shifting winds over the UK, which forced air-traffic controllers to slow runway throughput. Chronic controller staffing shortages meant there was no buffer, so morning delays snowballed through the day. Re-routing around Middle-East airspace closures compounded the problem for long-haul operators. For corporate mobility teams the timing is awkward: the EU’s new EES rules mean missed connections can now force passengers to complete biometric re-registration on re-routed itineraries, adding uncertainty to duty-of-care planning. Companies moving high-value cargo via “hand-carry” couriers have also faced storage fees as aircraft missed slot allocations.
![1,600 Flight Delays Grip Heathrow and Gatwick as Weather and ATC Woes Collide]()
If an itinerary suddenly reroutes through a country that requires a different transit visa, VisaHQ can expedite the paperwork online—often in the same day—while keeping travellers and corporate travel managers updated through its UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/). The service’s real-time tracking and dedicated support line offer extra reassurance when airport disruptions force last-minute changes.
AirHelp notes that compensation under EC 261 will generally not apply because weather and air-traffic restrictions are deemed ‘extraordinary circumstances’. However, airlines must still provide meals, accommodation and rebooking, and savvy travel managers are using AirHelp-style tools to automate refund checks. Forecasters expect elevated delay levels until at least 15 April while schedules realign. Travellers should maintain two-hour minimum connections and monitor airline apps for gate changes.
If an itinerary suddenly reroutes through a country that requires a different transit visa, VisaHQ can expedite the paperwork online—often in the same day—while keeping travellers and corporate travel managers updated through its UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/). The service’s real-time tracking and dedicated support line offer extra reassurance when airport disruptions force last-minute changes.
AirHelp notes that compensation under EC 261 will generally not apply because weather and air-traffic restrictions are deemed ‘extraordinary circumstances’. However, airlines must still provide meals, accommodation and rebooking, and savvy travel managers are using AirHelp-style tools to automate refund checks. Forecasters expect elevated delay levels until at least 15 April while schedules realign. Travellers should maintain two-hour minimum connections and monitor airline apps for gate changes.
