A new airport closure in Europe has been caused by severe weather conditions. Budapest Airport cited “increased safety risks from black ice and extreme icing” as the reason for its temporary shutdown. Similar disruptions were experienced at Vienna Airport in Austria where runways were closed due to thick ice layers, leading to flight disruptions.
Meanwhile, Bratislava Airport in Slovakia also faced a brief closure before resuming operations with ongoing delays. Václav Havel Airport in Prague was significantly impacted by the adverse weather, operating under limited conditions to facilitate de-icing procedures. Although operations were eventually restored, flight delays persisted with several cancellations.
The weather system affecting central and eastern Europe brought snow and freezing rain, causing widespread icy conditions. This weather pattern resulted in travel disruptions across various countries. Previous disruptions due to Storm Goretit were experienced in the UK, leading to airport closures and flight cancellations.
Additionally, extreme cold weather in northern Finland stranded thousands of tourists as flights were grounded. The challenging conditions, including temperatures plummeting to -37C, made aircraft de-icing operations difficult. The impacted airports advised travelers to monitor updates and expect continued delays throughout the day.