N332 Travel Updates

Flying to Spain? Check out Monday’s Europe and Spain Travel Update

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This week brings continued pressure on Europe’s skies. Greece remains the worst affected, with Athens, Crete, Rhodes and other islands facing long delays from air traffic controller shortages. Spain is also under strain, with Barcelona and Seville experiencing restrictions during busy hours, and Gran Canaria still affected by runway works.

Aviation and Travel Update: 18–21 August 2025
General Situation
  • Around 35,700 flights daily expected across Europe this week.
  • Major pinch points: Greek airspace (staff shortages), Spain (capacity limits), France (industrial action in Marseille region), and Belgrade (storms).
  • Weather: Isolated thunderstorms across Iberia, southern France, the Alps, Italy, and the Balkans in the afternoons; low cloud and showers in the UK and Ireland.
    • Flight Hotspots
    United Kingdom & Ireland
    • Gatwick: Morning arrival restrictions from high demand.
    • Newcastle: Repeated night and early-morning staffing-related arrival limits.
    • Scotland & Southern England: Large-scale Storm Warrior 25-2 military exercise continues until 21 August, causing some reroutes.
    • South-west UK and Ireland: Showers and low cloud may slow departures and arrivals.
      • Spain
      • Barcelona: Morning and midday restrictions from airspace congestion.
      • Seville: Afternoon high demand and occasional thunderstorms; high likelihood of delays.
      • Gran Canaria: Ongoing runway works, leading to longer taxi times.
      • Madrid: Moderate restrictions at peak hours due to demand.
        • Greece
        • Athens, Chania, Heraklion, Rhodes, Zakynthos, Kefalonia: Severe ATC staffing shortages. High delays expected all week.
        • Mykonos: Peak holiday demand causing extended arrival queues.
        • Strong northerly winds across the Aegean may add further disruption.
          • France
          • Marseille airspace: Industrial action and capacity reductions leading to low to moderate delays.
          • Bordeaux & Reims: Staffing shortages causing repeated restrictions.
          • Paris (Charles de Gaulle): One runway closed for long-term works; delays expected at busy times.
            • Elsewhere
            • Amsterdam: Morning arrival restrictions most days due to demand.
            • Belgrade: Storm activity causing significant delays.
            • Geneva: Arrival capacity reduced during transition to a new operating system; delays expected at peak times.
            • Rome (Naples sector): Environmental restrictions limiting arrivals at certain times.
            • Lisbon & Porto: Overnight runway works this week; expect delays if travelling on late flights.
              • Flying Weather Highlights
              • UK & Ireland: Low cloud and showers in the south-west.
              • Spain: Afternoon storms possible in eastern and southern regions.
              • France: Showers in the south-west and Mediterranean coast.
              • Italy & Balkans: Frequent thunderstorms, particularly around Rome, Belgrade, and Bucharest.
              • Aegean: Strong winds affecting Greek island arrivals.
                • Rail and Ferry Update

                UK–Spain Ferries

                • Portsmouth–Santander, Portsmouth–Bilbao, Plymouth–Santander sailings running normally. Expect busy boarding during peak weekend travel.

                  • UK–France Ferries

                  • Services operating to schedule. Longer processing times expected during peak hours due to summer holiday traffic.

                    • Spanish Mainland–Canary Islands Ferries

                    • No weather-related disruption, but holiday demand remains high for departures from Cádiz and Huelva.
                      • Eurostar and Eurotunnel
                      • Operating normally, but bookings are near full capacity midweek. Allow extra time for security and boarding.
                        • Spain Rail
                        • AVE high-speed trains: Running on time, but Thursday and Friday departures close to full capacity.
                        • Valencia–Tarragona corridor: Overnight works continue, affecting early/late services.

                          • The post Flying to Spain? Check out Monday’s Europe and Spain Travel Update first appeared on N332 Radio.

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