Ice Grounds Flights in Vienna, Austria and Prague, Czech Republic as Winter Weather Disrupts Travel Across Europe

Ice takes over the runways

Before dawn on Tuesday, runways across Central Europe disappeared under a hard, glassy layer of ice. At Vienna International Airport in Vienna, Austria, crews tried to clear it. They scraped. They treated. The ice came back.

Vienna Airport spokesperson: “A thick layer of ice had formed on the runways and kept freezing up again after efforts to clear it."

Operations were suspended through the morning. Aircraft already airborne were diverted elsewhere. Departure boards filled with delays and cancellations. The airport announced that departures could resume from 11 a.m. local time, with arrivals later, once conditions allowed.

Prague slows to a crawl

In Prague, Czech Republic, freezing rain coated the airfield at Vaclav Havel Airport. The result was near standstill.

Prague Airport statement on X: “The airport is operating in a very limited mode."

Only a small number of flights were allowed to arrive. Crews focused on a single task. De-icing the main runway. Delays stretched through the day as planes waited their turn and passengers waited inside the terminal.

A regional shutdown unfolds

The problem did not stop at national borders. Airports in Budapest, Hungary and Bratislava, Slovakia were also forced to close temporarily on Tuesday morning.

In Bratislava, Slovakia, officials said the airport would remain closed until at least 11:15 a.m. local time. In Budapest, Hungary, authorities cited black ice and extreme icing on runways. Flights were halted. Schedules unraveled across the region.

Winter disrupts travel beyond airports

Across Europe, winter weather tightened its grip. Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and icy roads made movement difficult far beyond aviation.

In northern Germany, train passengers continued to face long delays and cancellations. Deutsche Bahn had already shut down all rail service in the region after heavy snow. Stations fell quiet. Trains stayed parked.

Road travel slowed. Accidents increased. The cold dictated the rhythm of the day.

Extreme cold strands travelers in the far north

Farther north, winter turned harsher still. In Kittilä, Finland, extreme cold grounded flights at Kittila Airport. Temperatures remained below -35°C. Aircraft could not be safely de-iced. Ground equipment froze in place.

Thousands of tourists were left waiting. Departures to London, United Kingdom, Bristol, United Kingdom, Manchester, United Kingdom, Paris, France, and Amsterdam, Netherlands were canceled. Bags stayed packed. Seats stayed empty.

Storm effects reach Western Europe

The same storm system brought severe impacts farther west. In England, United Kingdom, a man was killed after a tree fell onto his caravan during high winds. In France, around 100,000 homes lost power as snow and wind damaged infrastructure.