Heavy snowfall caused widespread disruption across parts of Europe on Sunday, severely affecting air travel in both the United Kingdom and Germany. The severe weather led to the temporary closure of several airports, flight delays, and cancellations as snow and ice blanketed vast areas of the region.
In the United Kingdom, a number of airports were forced to close their runways due to the accumulation of snow and ice. The UK’s Met Office issued snow and ice warnings for large portions of the country, including much of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and significant parts of central and northern England. Wales was also impacted, with the entire region under a yellow rain warning.
One of the most affected airports was Manchester Airport, the UK’s third-largest by passenger size. On Sunday morning, the airport announced on social media that its runways had been temporarily closed due to heavy snow. Ground staff worked diligently to clear the snow, and the runway was reopened around 9:45 a.m. after a brief closure.
Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport also faced similar issues, with its runway temporarily closed on Sunday morning due to snow accumulation. The airport resumed normal operations by 10:15 a.m., after staff had cleared the runway. Newcastle International Airport, located in the northeast of England, reported significant disruptions to its flight schedules due to “heavy and continuous snowfall,” with delays and cancellations affecting passengers throughout the day.
In addition to the disruption at UK airports, the severe weather also had an impact on Germany’s air travel system. While specific details from German airports were not immediately available, the widespread snowfall across Europe led to delays and cancellations at airports in other parts of the continent as well.
As airports in the affected regions worked to clear the snow and ice from their runways, many passengers faced significant delays and disruptions to their travel plans. Airport staff were seen working around the clock to minimize the impact of the heavy snow, and travelers were advised to check with their airlines for updates on flight statuses.
The snowstorm, while not unusual for the winter months, served as a reminder of the challenges that severe weather can pose to air travel. It is expected that conditions may continue to affect flight operations in the coming days as snow and ice persist across parts of Europe. Travelers are urged to stay informed and prepare for potential disruptions if they are flying in the affected regions.