Airports close and flights disrupted across Europe due to icy weather
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Airports have been forced to close and flights have been disrupted in parts of Europe due to icy weather.
Airports in Budapest in Hungary, Bratislava in Slovakia and Vienna in Austria all had to temporarily shut on Tuesday morning because of the conditions.
A thick layer of ice had formed on runways in Vienna and, despite efforts to clear it, continued to refreeze, a spokesperson for the airport said.
Flights were being diverted to other airports, they added.
Flight departures in Vienna were set to resume from 11am local time (10am in the UK) and arrivals from noon (11am in the UK).
Freezing rain had left Prague Airport in the Czech Republic operating in a “very limited mode”, according to a message on its X account.
Delays were expected throughout the day, and arrivals were being limited as staff worked to de-ice the main runway, it added.
Icy conditions also forced Bratislava Airport to close temporarily, although flights were expected to resume later in the day.
Budapest Airport also halted flights due to weather-related safety concerns.
“Due to black ice and extreme icing, Ferenc Liszt International Airport (Budapest) is temporarily not receiving and launching flights since 10.25am (9.25am in the UK) for safety reasons,” the airport said in a statement shared on social media.
Budapest Airport said it will continue to provide updates and urged passengers to check its online platforms for the latest information.
