Heavy snowfall across the UK and Germany on Sunday caused significant disruptions to air travel. Multiple airports closed runways, resulting in delays and cancellations of flights. The snowy weather also affected train services and roads, creating widespread travel chaos.
UK Airports Face Temporary Closures
In the UK, several major airports were forced to close runways due to heavy snow. Manchester Airport closed its runways on Sunday morning but reopened around 9:45 AM after clearing operations. Similarly, Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport shut its runway temporarily, reopening by 10:15 AM.
Newcastle International Airport reported disrupted flight schedules due to continuous heavy snowfall, and Birmingham Airport closed for several hours during the night for snow clearance. Bristol Airport also closed on Saturday but reopened in the evening, although it continued to experience delays.
Weather Warnings Across the UK
The UK’s Met Office issued snow and ice warnings across Northern Ireland, Scotland, and parts of central and northern England. A yellow rain warning was also issued for almost all of Wales. National Rail reported disruptions in train services due to the icy conditions, with speed restrictions and line closures in effect.
Snowfall Disrupts Flights in Germany
In Germany, Frankfurt Airport had to cancel 120 flights out of 1,090 scheduled take-offs and landings due to snow clearing work and reduced visibility. Munich Airport was also affected, with only one runway open and 35 flights cancelled as a precautionary measure.
Stuttgart Airport faced delays due to slower de-icing procedures, while Cologne reported up to 10 cm of snow. Authorities warned drivers about snow-covered roads and advised staying home if possible.
Travel Warnings and Accidents
Authorities across both countries issued severe weather alerts. In Germany, a spike in weather-related accidents was reported as drivers continued to use summer tyres on snow-covered roads. The weather service issued black ice warnings and advised people to limit travel during the storm.
