Europe’s travel woes won’t end this summer.

Airports across Europe have imposed restrictions on passengers and flights through this winter, at times overwhelmed by a stronger-than-expected rebound in demand. Passengers returning to the skies after two years of pandemic-related travel restrictions have been greeted by long lines at security, a scourge of lost luggage and regular flight delays or cancellations.

For airlines, long-term suspensions are even more frustrating as they try to rebuild their operations. The passenger cap has already prompted carriers to cancel more flights and hold back some bookings — setbacks that will now disrupt the normally busy fall school holidays.

While European airlines are posting their first profits since the outbreak of the pandemic, the chaos at airports, delays and cancellations are leading to higher compensation and operating costs, and have caused many carriers to reduce their flight plans.

For commuters, the threat of continued disruption may deter some from traveling.

Emily Cutler decided not to fly to Greece on a recent trip with her 3-year-old son after a two-hour layover at the airport, a missed connection at Heathrow and a layover in one of the airport’s terminals. Ms Cutler was traveling from Newcastle in north-east England to visit her parents for the first time since the outbreak.

I might be thinking of moving back in with my parents in the fall. I don’t do that now,” Ms. Cutler said.

But airports say the cap — unprecedented on their scale — is helping.

“Travellers are seeing better and safer journeys since the demand cap was introduced,” Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said, as the airport said 6.3 million passengers moved through its terminals in July. last year.

In the first week of August, 24.7% of flights from Heathrow arrived later than scheduled, according to FlylyAware data. This is down from a peak of 54.5% of flights in the week ending June 26 and the best performance since early May.

Similar improvements were recorded at both Schiphol and Frankfurt, FlightAware data shows.

Heathrow has told airlines to prepare daily capacity for passengers departing until the end of October, with the restrictions remaining in place until enough staff are hired to deal with overcrowding. The current restrictions, which will be lifted on September 11, limit the number of passengers to 100,000 a day—4,000 fewer than airlines plan to fly to Europe’s biggest hub in August and September.

The airport’s CEO also floated the possibility that the hats could work again next winter as ground handlers and airlines at the airport struggle to hire more baggage handlers, airbridge operators and check-in staff.

“If the utility picture changes, we will also change the cap, but until this utility issue is resolved, the cap will remain in place,” an airport spokesperson said, adding that the deadline for removing the copy has not yet been finalised. the host.

Airports and ground controllers have been scrambling to bring in thousands of new workers, but efforts have long been hampered by background security checks and a tight labor market. Freeport AG

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The owner of Frankfurt Airport hired temporary workers at higher wages, increased wages for some workers and offered bonuses to workers willing to work extra shifts.

British Airways,

Heathrow, which counts Heathrow as its main hub, has temporarily stopped selling tickets on all European and domestic routes this month to meet the requirement. It is set to continue limiting sales on select flights, including on international routes, until the passenger cap is lifted.

Luis Gallego, chief executive of British Airways’ parent company, told analysts on an earnings call late last month that he expects a marked improvement in year-end congestion levels.

Mr. Gallego said that while on-time performance is showing some improvement, the airline is still struggling with high passenger numbers. “We still have days when we can’t handle the volume,” he said.

Germany’s Frankfurt Airport plans to extend the limit to 90 flights per hour from 104 per hour in 2019. He is also checking with regulators and airlines whether similar restrictions are needed in the winter flying season from November. the spokesman said.

German Lufthansa AG

Frankfurt, which counts as its largest hub airport, has canceled thousands of flights in several waves to ease pressure on the airport, particularly due to a shortage of ground handling staff, in part due to severe illness. The airline has previously welcomed capacity cuts to manage congestion.

Amsterdam Schiphol says it is extending passenger restrictions until October. As the season changes, travelers bring more luggage and warmer clothes or hiking gear, which contributes to quieter airports and longer check-in lines, he said.

In response, KLM said Royal Dutch Airlines is restricting ticket sales for flights from Amsterdam but does not expect to cancel more flights. “These measures are necessary to keep customers in control of the situation at Schiphol,” the airline said.

Air France KLM Group CEO Ben Smith said last month that he expected the industry’s battle with labor shortages, congestion and supply chain constraints to be a long-term struggle.

Mr Smith said: “The increased interest has surprised many. The reality is that some of these ups and downs will continue to emerge for years.

Write Benjamin Katz at ben.katz@wsj.com and Sara Ruberg at sara.ruberg@wsj.com