Heavy snowfall has caused significant disruptions to air travel in both the UK and Germany, leading to multiple runway closures and flight cancellations over the weekend, according to reports from CNN and Euro News.
In the UK, several airports closed their runways on Sunday due to snow and ice. The UK’s Met Office issued snow and ice warnings across large areas, including most of Northern Ireland, much of Scotland, and central and northern England. Almost all of Wales was also under a yellow rain warning.
Manchester Airport temporarily closed its runways on Sunday morning due to heavy snowfall. In a social media post, the airport confirmed that staff were clearing the snow, and the runways reopened by 9:45 a.m. local time.
Similarly, Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport shut its runway temporarily, reopening it at 10:15 a.m. local time. Newcastle International Airport also reported disruptions due to continuous heavy snowfall.
Birmingham Airport faced a closure around midnight to allow snow clearance teams to work, but operations resumed by Sunday morning. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Birmingham Airport confirmed: “
As a result of resilience teams working throughout the night, the start-up to the schedule remains business as usual. Passengers are advised to allow plenty of time and check our website or with their airline for updates.”
Bristol Airport, located in western England, closed on Saturday due to challenging weather conditions but later reopened in the evening. However, officials warned that the closure could still impact flights on Sunday.
The snow also affected rail services across the UK. National Rail reported that train routes in England, Scotland, and Wales were impacted by the poor weather. “Ice and snow can lead to speed restrictions and line closures to ensure trains run safely,” said a spokesperson.
National Highways issued a severe weather alert for snow across England over the weekend, advising road users to exercise caution and plan ahead when traveling.
In Germany, the winter weather caused similar disruptions. Frankfurt Airport, one of the country’s busiest, cancelled 120 of its 1,090 scheduled take-offs and landings on Sunday due to runway clearance and reduced visibility.
Munich Airport also faced restrictions, with only one runway operational while the other was being cleared. Thirty-five flights were cancelled on Saturday as a precaution, and around 750 were delayed until Sunday.
Stuttgart Airport experienced delays as de-icing machines took longer to prepare aircraft for take-off, while Cologne recorded up to 10 centimetres of fresh snow overnight. Germany’s weather service issued black ice warnings and advised residents to stay home wherever possible.
The snowy conditions also contributed to a rise in weather-related accidents across Germany. Authorities noted that many incidents occurred as drivers continued to use summer tires on snow-covered roads, exacerbating the dangerous conditions.
The severe weather is expected to cause further delays, and passengers across both countries are advised to check with their airlines and allow extra time for travel.
(With ANI input)