Icy weather conditions have led to the closure of airports in four major central European cities, resulting in significant travel disruptions.
Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague airports all briefly halted operations on Tuesday morning due to freezing weather. Budapest Airport announced the suspension of arrivals and departures due to black ice, with freezing rain and snow warnings issued across Hungary. Additionally, drift ice has been observed on the Danube and Tisza rivers, while Lake Balaton in western Hungary has frozen, a rare event occurring once every 10 to 15 years.
Vienna International Airport also shut down as a thick layer of ice formed on its runways, causing repeated freezing despite clearance efforts. Flights were redirected to alternative airports, and Austria’s state railway company advised passengers to delay non-essential travel due to disruptions.
In Slovakia, Bratislava Airport closed due to snow and ice, with warnings of black ice in western regions and heavy snowfall in central and northern areas. Both Vienna and Bratislava airports were expected to resume operations later in the morning on Tuesday.
Prague Airport reported operating in a limited capacity, citing intense freezing rain. Arrival restrictions were put in place for de-icing the main runway, taxiways, and aircraft stands, leading to flight delays throughout the day.
Meanwhile, in northern Finland, extreme cold conditions caused flight cancellations, leaving thousands of tourists stranded at Kittilä Airport. With temperatures dropping to -37°C, de-icing aircraft became exceptionally challenging on Sunday morning, according to Finland’s public broadcaster Yle.