A dreamy European vacation right now might actually be a tourist's worst nightmare
What was meant to be a dream European summer vacation is turning into a nightmare for thousands of travellers, as the continent faces a double blow of widespread flight disruptions and extreme heat.
Air traffic strikes, particularly in France, have led to hundreds of flight cancellations and delays at the peak of the travel season. At the same time, a punishing early summer heatwave is sweeping across parts of southern and central Europe, straining infrastructure and affecting tourist hotspots.
Travellers across major destinations like France, Italy, and Spain are reporting hours-long delays at airports and unbearable conditions as temperatures soar well above seasonal norms. For many, the long-awaited summer getaway is quickly becoming a test of patience and endurance.
ALSO READ: Europe trips could burn a bigger hole in your pocket as rupee near all‑time low against the euro
“Every summer since Covid has been the worst summer until now,” said Paul Reuter, vice president of the pilot union European Cockpit Association, as per a POLITICO report.
Flight cancellations
Flight disruptions across Europe surged on July 1, 2025, with over 200 delays and more than 60 cancellations reported amid mounting operational challenges. Airlines are grappling with staff shortages, technical glitches, and weather-related issues, severely impacting travel across the region. The most impacted carriers include Air France, Finnair, American Airlines, Emirates, KLM, Air Canada, and China Southern.
Less than a week ago, 320 flights were cancelled or diverted in northeastern Italy on June 28, due to a system’s failure at Milan’s Linate Airport, according to Euronews.
The disruptions continue, with Finnair cancelling 100 flights servicing European routes on July 2.
According to the American tech company FlightAware, Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport reported 11 cancellations in the last 24 hours, as of 1:35 am EDT. It also shows a decline in flight disruptions at Munich International Airport, Stockholm-Arlanda Airport and Dublin International Airport, which have dropped to nine, eight, and seven cancellations, respectively.
Searing heatwaves
Europe is currently in the grip of a severe early summer heat wave, intensified by a marine heat wave in the Mediterranean Sea and a persistent heat dome. Sea surface temperatures in parts of the Mediterranean are up to 9°C above normal, particularly in the western basin near southern France. This extreme ocean warming is fueling high humidity and elevated night-time temperatures across the region.
The heat wave is being further reinforced by hot air flowing north from Africa, creating a feedback loop that is sustaining both the marine and land heat extremes. Experts note that such patterns—marine heat waves driving extreme land weather—are becoming increasingly frequent as the planet warms.
Several countries are experiencing record-breaking temperatures. In Spain, the town of El Granado recorded 46°C on Sunday, the highest June temperature in the country’s history. Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET said last month was the hottest June ever recorded. In Portugal, a provisional high of 46.6°C was reported in Mora, potentially a new national record for June.
France is also under widespread heat stress, with temperatures exceeding 100°F in multiple regions. Météo France issued red-level heat alerts—the highest warning—for 16 areas, including Île-de-France where Paris is located. The Eiffel Tower’s summit has been closed for two days, and authorities have urged residents and tourists to take precautions.
The UK is not spared either, experiencing its second heat wave of the season with temperatures crossing 90°F on Monday. With fewer than 5% of British homes equipped with air conditioning, the conditions have become especially difficult.
The combination of land and marine heat waves is not only straining infrastructure and public health systems but also highlighting the growing intensity and frequency of extreme climate events across Europe.
Overtourism adds pressure
The rise in visitor numbers has led to overtourism concerns across Europe. Cities like Venice, Barcelona and Amsterdam have introduced tourist taxes and tighter regulations. Venice now charges an entry fee for day‑trippers, and Barcelona has restricted short‑term rentals in certain neighborhoods.
In Spain, rising tourist numbers have sparked protests in popular cities and islands. Residents in Barcelona, Mallorca and the Canary Islands have held rallies and put up signs complaining about overtourism, rising rents and pressure on local infrastructure. They have called for stricter rules, tourist caps and higher taxes to balance the benefits of tourism with the needs of local communities.
With the rupee at its weakest point and popular destinations imposing new restrictions, trips to Europe are expected to remain challenging and costly for Indian travelers throughout the year.
Air traffic strikes, particularly in France, have led to hundreds of flight cancellations and delays at the peak of the travel season. At the same time, a punishing early summer heatwave is sweeping across parts of southern and central Europe, straining infrastructure and affecting tourist hotspots.
Travellers across major destinations like France, Italy, and Spain are reporting hours-long delays at airports and unbearable conditions as temperatures soar well above seasonal norms. For many, the long-awaited summer getaway is quickly becoming a test of patience and endurance.
ALSO READ: Europe trips could burn a bigger hole in your pocket as rupee near all‑time low against the euro
“Every summer since Covid has been the worst summer until now,” said Paul Reuter, vice president of the pilot union European Cockpit Association, as per a POLITICO report.
Flight cancellations
Flight disruptions across Europe surged on July 1, 2025, with over 200 delays and more than 60 cancellations reported amid mounting operational challenges. Airlines are grappling with staff shortages, technical glitches, and weather-related issues, severely impacting travel across the region. The most impacted carriers include Air France, Finnair, American Airlines, Emirates, KLM, Air Canada, and China Southern.
Less than a week ago, 320 flights were cancelled or diverted in northeastern Italy on June 28, due to a system’s failure at Milan’s Linate Airport, according to Euronews.
The disruptions continue, with Finnair cancelling 100 flights servicing European routes on July 2.
According to the American tech company FlightAware, Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport reported 11 cancellations in the last 24 hours, as of 1:35 am EDT. It also shows a decline in flight disruptions at Munich International Airport, Stockholm-Arlanda Airport and Dublin International Airport, which have dropped to nine, eight, and seven cancellations, respectively.
Searing heatwaves
Europe is currently in the grip of a severe early summer heat wave, intensified by a marine heat wave in the Mediterranean Sea and a persistent heat dome. Sea surface temperatures in parts of the Mediterranean are up to 9°C above normal, particularly in the western basin near southern France. This extreme ocean warming is fueling high humidity and elevated night-time temperatures across the region.
The heat wave is being further reinforced by hot air flowing north from Africa, creating a feedback loop that is sustaining both the marine and land heat extremes. Experts note that such patterns—marine heat waves driving extreme land weather—are becoming increasingly frequent as the planet warms.
Several countries are experiencing record-breaking temperatures. In Spain, the town of El Granado recorded 46°C on Sunday, the highest June temperature in the country’s history. Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET said last month was the hottest June ever recorded. In Portugal, a provisional high of 46.6°C was reported in Mora, potentially a new national record for June.
France is also under widespread heat stress, with temperatures exceeding 100°F in multiple regions. Météo France issued red-level heat alerts—the highest warning—for 16 areas, including Île-de-France where Paris is located. The Eiffel Tower’s summit has been closed for two days, and authorities have urged residents and tourists to take precautions.
The UK is not spared either, experiencing its second heat wave of the season with temperatures crossing 90°F on Monday. With fewer than 5% of British homes equipped with air conditioning, the conditions have become especially difficult.
The combination of land and marine heat waves is not only straining infrastructure and public health systems but also highlighting the growing intensity and frequency of extreme climate events across Europe.
Overtourism adds pressure
The rise in visitor numbers has led to overtourism concerns across Europe. Cities like Venice, Barcelona and Amsterdam have introduced tourist taxes and tighter regulations. Venice now charges an entry fee for day‑trippers, and Barcelona has restricted short‑term rentals in certain neighborhoods.
In Spain, rising tourist numbers have sparked protests in popular cities and islands. Residents in Barcelona, Mallorca and the Canary Islands have held rallies and put up signs complaining about overtourism, rising rents and pressure on local infrastructure. They have called for stricter rules, tourist caps and higher taxes to balance the benefits of tourism with the needs of local communities.
With the rupee at its weakest point and popular destinations imposing new restrictions, trips to Europe are expected to remain challenging and costly for Indian travelers throughout the year.
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