More major airports across Europe closed due to icy weather

More airports across Europe have had to temporarily close due to icy weather conditions. 

Major hubs in Budapest, Hungary, Vienna in Austria and Bratislava in Slovakia have been forced to shut down this morning.

Budapest Airport issued an update on X, formerly Twitter, that the closure was caused by black ice and 'extreme icing'.

It posted: 'Due to the adverse weather conditions, and similarly to several airports in Central Europe, a temporary airport closure has been implemented at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, due to the increased safety risks caused by black ice and extreme icing.

'For safety reasons, the airport has temporarily suspended all arrivals and departures since 10:25.'

Meanwhile, runways in Vienna were reportedly coated by a thick layer of ice and kept refreezing, forcing it to close temporarily. 

An update on Vienna Airport's website reads, 'Due to current weather conditions, disruptions to flights to and from Vienna are expected on January 13, 2026. 

'We recommend that all passengers regularly check their flight status with the airline. Information on arrivals and departures can be found at https://www.viennaairport.com/abfluege.'

Many arrivals at the airports are currently showing as delayed or cancelled for Vienna, as are departures. 

An airport spokesperson told Sky News that flight departures would continue from 11am local (10am UK time) and arrivals would resume from 12pm local, (11am UK time).

Bratislava reopened at 11.15am (local time) this morning after a brief closure, with many flights earlier today either cancelled or diverted.

Its website states, 'Due to adverse meteorological conditions on the runway, the airport will be closed on 13. 1. 2026 until 11:15 a.m. 

'As a result, flight delays are expected during the morning hours.

'An emergency operations team is in session to assess runway braking action and determine when the airport can safely resume operations.

'Passengers are advised to follow the airport’s website, their airline’s mobile applications, and airport public address announcements for the latest information regarding their departures.'

Elsewhere, Václav Havel Airport Prague 'is operating in a restricted mode' according to its website.

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It continues, 'As of 11:00, the number of permitted arrivals has been increased from 2 to 6 per hour due to de-icing operations and to ensure the operational readiness of runways and other airside areas. 

'Safety of flight operations, passengers, and employees remains the top priority.

'Passengers are advised to follow the latest updates on our website and from their airline.' 

It comes after several other hubs were forced to close due to icy weather conditions earlier this month.

Yesterday, on January 12, British tourists told of their 'nightmare' in Finland's Lapland as they were among thousands stranded after flights were cancelled due to the severe cold.

Temperatures at Kittila Airport plummeted to nearly -40C (-40F) following several days of freezing weather that saw lows of -37C (-35F).

Cancelled flights included those heading to London, Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam - while the first scheduled flight was axed last night.

Passengers were desperately waiting for updates at the airport but officials said the weather was extremely difficult for de-icing aircraft, maintenance and refuelling.

Heavy snow, high winds and icy roads were exacerbating problems with local travel as airlines tried to put people on buses to get them to other airports for flights home.

Becky Weaver, from Harrietsham in Kent, was among the Brits stuck in Kittila with her family after her flight to London Gatwick was cancelled on Sunday night.

She told the Daily Mail yesterdau: 'We were meant to fly back yesterday morning and are currently still waiting at our hotel for updates on possibly flying today.

'It's been a complete nightmare for me and my family. 

'We have a house, pets and jobs which were trying to sort out and currently we sit here in hope we fly tonight.'

Meanwhile, on January 5, Amsterdam's Schiphol airport saw 700 flights cancelled which accounted for more than half of those scheduled to take off or land that day. 

Authorities at the Dutch airport blamed wintery conditions for the cancellations.

Videos from Schiphol appeared to show airport staff enjoying the weather by making snowmen and taking part in a brief snowball fight.

At the same time, Meteo France, the French meteorological society, issued an orange alert for snow and ice for much of northwest France, including Paris where Charles de Gaulle and Orly airport reduced their flights by 15 per cent.

Flights were also grounded at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on January 5 after its runway was forced to close due to snow and ice, with easyJet planes cancelled and dozens of other services delayed.

Loganair cancelled some flights in Scotland, while Belfast International Airport said there had been several delays and cancellations.

On the same day, Eurostar said trains from London could not reach the Netherlands due to the weather - with passengers going to Rotterdam or Amsterdam urged to postpone their journey.