Storm Austen disrupted air travel across Western Europe on October 23, 2026, causing extensive flight cancellations and diversions at airports including Jersey, Guernsey, Brest, Caen, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Brussels, and Amsterdam Schiphol. Adverse weather conditions forced many airlines to cancel or reroute flights on that date.
Flight cancellations in Channel Islands and France
Jersey Airport reported 41 cancelled flight movements on October 23, comprising 22 departures and 19 arrivals. Guernsey Airport also faced severe disruptions, suspending operations until resuming on October 24. In mainland France, Brest Airport recorded 11 cancelled movements and Caen Airport three cancellations. Transavia departures from Nantes suffered cancellations as well.
Flight diversions at Paris, Brussels, and Schiphol Airports; KLM cancellations
Flights destined
for Paris Charles de Gaulle were diverted due to Storm Austen, with many rerouted to Paris Orly Airport and additional diversions anticipated. Brussels Airport (Zaventem) received multiple diverted arrivals, while losing at least one scheduled incoming flight. A Brussels Airlines service from Marseille was diverted to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Several aircraft initially headed for French airports landed instead at Brussels Airport. KLM cancelled 20 flights on October 23 and announced a further 22 cancellations for the following day, despite Schiphol reporting limited overall disruption and no other carrier issuing cancellations for the storm.
Causes and impact on surface transport
The disruption followed Jersey authorities issuing a
red wind warning with gusts estimated between 61 and 70 knots ahead of Storm Austen. Strong winds and degraded weather conditions caused cancellations and diversions, as well as surface transportation challenges including disrupted rail services, fallen trees, and road restrictions that complicated airport access. A second storm named Boelo was forecast to impact parts of the UK over the coming weekend, raising concerns about additional travel interruptions.
Official statements on diversions and cancellations
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed that flights were redirected from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Paris Orly, with further diversions expected as conditions persisted. Brussels Airport spokeswoman Ihsane Chioua Lekhli reported arrivals
of diverted flights and the rerouting of a Brussels Airlines flight from Marseille to Amsterdam Schiphol, clarifying that affected Belgian airports remained operational despite these specific diversions.
