Storm Austen disrupted air travel across Western Europe on Friday, 23 October 2026, causing widespread flight cancellations and diversions. Airports in the Channel Islands, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands reported cancellations and diversions linked to severe weather conditions. Airlines including Transavia, Brussels Airlines, and KLM were impacted, and Paris Charles de Gaulle and Brussels Airport handled redirected services.
Flight Cancellations and Disruptions in the Channel Islands
Jersey Airport cancelled 41 flight movements on 23 October, comprising 22 departures and 19 arrivals, according to data compiled by Aerosillage. Jersey authorities issued a red wind warning forecasting gusts between 61 and 70 knots ahead of the storm. Guernsey Airport also
experienced significant disruption, with operations suspended during the storm and resuming on Saturday, 24 October 2026.
Impacts on French Airports and Diversions
In western France, Brest Airport cancelled 11 flight movements while Caen Airport recorded three cancellations due to the storm. Transavia departures from Nantes were similarly affected. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport redirected several flights to Paris Orly Airport amid deteriorating weather across northern France, with French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot noting further diversions to other airports were expected.
Diversions and Cancellations Around Brussels and Amsterdam
Brussels Airport received diverted flights and lost some incoming services as aircraft rerouted around the storm. Brussels Airlines operated a flight from Marseille that diverted to
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Several flights initially destined for French airports landed instead at Brussels Zaventem. Brussels Airport spokeswoman Ihsane Chioua Lekhli confirmed diversions to Zaventem and the loss of inbound flights to other airports. KLM cancelled 20 flights on Friday and announced 22 additional cancellations for Saturday due to strong winds in the Netherlands, though Schiphol Airport itself reported limited overall disruption. No other airlines at Schiphol cancelled flights because of the storm.
The severe weather also affected ground transport, with fallen trees, disrupted rail services, and road restrictions complicating access to airports across the affected regions.
A second storm
named Boelo is forecast to impact Northern Ireland, Scotland, and parts of northern England over the weekend, threatening further travel disruptions.
