LONDON/BERLIN – Heavy snowfall on Jan 5 caused widespread disruption to air travel in parts of England and Germany, with airports forced to close runways and cancel flights. In England, the Met Office reported up to 12 cm of snow in northern areas, with higher altitudes in Wales and northern England forecast to receive up to 40 cm. An amber weather warning for snow and freezing rain was issued, affecting much of Wales, central, and north-western England.
Runways at Manchester and Liverpool John Lennon airports were shut down, while Birmingham Airport temporarily suspended operations overnight to clear snow. Bristol Airport reopened late on Jan 4 but warned passengers of potential delays due to aircraft positioning challenges.
The adverse weather also led to power outages in central and south-west England and south Wales, with the National Grid working to restore services.
In Germany, Frankfurt Airport, the country’s largest, canceled 120 flights due to snow and black ice, alongside challenges in de-icing planes and clearing runways. Munich Airport also canceled 35 flights on Jan 4, while Berlin-Brandenburg Airport faced disruptions on Jan 3, with 30 flights affected by icy conditions.
Germany’s meteorological office warned of freezing rain and advised passengers to avoid unnecessary travel as wintry conditions continued to impact the region.