On Tuesday morning, large areas of Central Europe experienced a near-total paralysis of air and land transport as a result of a severe wave of freezing rain , leading to the suspension of flights and delays to train traffic in several European capitals, most notably Vienna, Prague and Bratislava.
Flights suspended at Vienna Airport
Authorities at Vienna International Airport the suspension of all incoming and outgoing flights due to a thick layer of ice accumulating on the runways, making landings and takeoffs hazardous. This emergency measure resulted in the diversion of numerous arriving flights to alternative airports in Germany and Italy, including Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Venice.
In a statement to the Austrian Press Agency, airport spokesman Peter Kleiman explained that technical teams were working around the clock to remove the ice, expecting the disruption to continue for several hours before traffic gradually returned to normal.
Risks of freezing rain to aviation
Freezing rain is one of the most serious climate challenges facing the aviation sector in Europe during winter. This phenomenon occurs when liquid raindrops freeze upon contact with cold surfaces such as airport runways and aircraft fuselages. This rapid accumulation of ice alters the aerodynamics of aircraft wings, increasing their weight, and eliminates friction on the runways. This necessitates a complete shutdown of operations for de-icing using special chemicals, resulting in significant logistical delays and substantial financial costs for airlines.
Rail and road disruptions
The Austrian Railways urged passengers to postpone non-essential journeys after announcing widespread cancellations of train schedules.
In neighboring Slovakia, Bratislava airport was closed until noon, while police issued urgent warnings via social media platforms urging citizens to avoid driving due to ice accumulation on highways, especially in the west of the country.
Impact of the low-pressure system on the Czech Republic and Hungary
The effects of the low-pressure system extended to the Czech Republic, where Prague Airport experienced a near-total halt to air traffic. Fire and safety teams worked tirelessly to clear the runways of ice to ensure aircraft safety. Ice also paralyzed traffic on major roads and railways across much of the country.
In Hungary, the meteorological authority issued warnings of continued freezing rain and snow, which negatively affected flight schedules and train traffic, amid expectations that the severe cold wave hitting the region would continue.
Travel experts advise passengers traveling to and from Central Europe in the coming days to maintain constant contact with airlines to check the status of their flights before heading to airports, in order to avoid long waits in these difficult weather conditions.
