Drama student Matthew Creed, 26, was forced to sleep at the airport after his flight was cancelled, as delays and cancellations continue to affect travellers.

A Scottish student has expressed his frustration after being left stranded overnight at Amsterdam Airport following the cancellation of his flight, highlighting the ongoing travel chaos affecting airports across Europe. Matthew Creed, 26, a drama student from Glasgow, was on his way back to the UK after a trip abroad when he found himself unexpectedly stuck at the airport due to the cancellation of his flight.

Creed, who was returning from a brief stay in the Netherlands, was informed that his flight back to Edinburgh had been cancelled due to operational issues. With no alternative flights available and the airport’s facilities overwhelmed by the growing number of stranded passengers, Creed was forced to spend the night in the terminal.

“I was so frustrated,” he said. “It was just chaos, and no one seemed to have a clear answer. I had no choice but to find a corner of the airport and try to sleep on a bench. It wasn’t ideal, and it’s definitely not something I’d want to experience again.”

The travel disruptions, which have been affecting various airports across Europe, are being blamed on a combination of staffing shortages, increased demand, and operational issues that have plagued several airlines over the summer. Creed’s experience is just one of many similar stories as thousands of passengers face delays, cancellations, and overcrowded airports.

While Creed eventually managed to secure a seat on a flight the following day, he described the ordeal as exhausting and demoralising, particularly as it disrupted his academic schedule. “I’m just relieved to be heading home now, but the whole situation was a mess,” he said. “I know a lot of people were in the same boat, but it doesn’t make it any easier when you’re the one stuck at the airport.”

The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation industry, as airlines and airports struggle to cope with a surge in post-pandemic travel. Experts have warned that the coming months may continue to see similar disruptions unless significant improvements are made to staffing and operations.

For now, Matthew Creed’s story serves as a reminder of the frustrations many travellers are facing as they navigate the turbulent skies of summer travel in Europe.