Air travellers warned of delays in Europe amid busiest day ever for UK aviation

‘Very busy Friday expected today across the network due to school holidays and high demand,’ says Eurocontrol

Storm forecast: Barcelona, one of the busiest airports in Europe, is experiencing delays (Simon Calder)

On the busiest day in history for British air-traffic controllers, with more than 9,000 aircraft movements predicted in UK airspace, travellers are warned of long delays because of problems in the skies over Continental Europe.

Eurocontrol in Brussels, which coordinates air-traffic control providers, is reporting: “Very busy Friday expected today across the network due to school holidays and high demand mainly in SW and SE Axis.”

That forecast includes a high level of traffic from the UK to Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece.

The Eurocontrol warning continues: “Weather is impacting mainly Spain and France, expanding for the afternoon to north of Italy and Eastern Europe.”

Specific problems are reported at Barcelona and Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport due to thunderstorms in the vicinity.

“Aerodrome capacity” is causing moderate delays at Amsterdam, Brussels and Zurich airports, while a surge in arrivals at Cannes is being regulated due to the resort’s festival.

The Brest Area Control Centre in northwest France is restricting flights because of excess demand and turbulence.

It is one of the busiest aviation sectors in Europe, up to a 100 flights per hour – many of them between the UK and destinations in Spain and Portugal.

“High delays” are reported at the Marseilles Area Control Centre in the south of France due to a lack of capacity.

A more widespread problem is staffing issues at Area Control Centres in Germany, which last year led to frequent long delays and cancellations.

On the railways, many Eurostar trains between London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord are fully booked.

Next Friday, 31 May, is predicted to be even busier, due to the Champions’ League final being played in Madrid on 1 June between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.