Storm Benjamin disrupts air travel across Western Europe

Storm Benjamin caused widespread flight disruption across major European airports on Thursday, 23 October, with Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow, and Brussels Airport all reporting significant operational impacts due to heavy rain and strong winds.

At Amsterdam Schiphol, storm conditions severely reduced runway capacity, leaving only the east–west Buitenveldertbaan available for takeoffs and landings. From 06:00onward, dozens of flights—mainly short-haul European services operated by KLM—were cancelled. Passengers were advised to monitor flight updates through the airport or their airline.

In London, Heathrow Airport saw a series of cancellations and delays as winds reached up to 40 mph by late afternoon. Flights to destinations including Dublin, Zurich, Milan, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Belfast were among those cancelled, while several others faced lengthy delays. The UK Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for both wind and rain across southern England, lasting into the night.

Meanwhile, Brussels Airport warned of possible delays due to high winds affecting ground handling operations, though no major cancellations were reported at the time.

With Storm Benjamin sweeping across Western Europe, travellers were urged to check flight status regularly and allow extra time at airports, as weather conditions continued to impact air traffic throughout the evening.