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Freezing rain and icy conditions have been causing widespread travel disruptions across central and eastern Europe, forcing airports in the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary to postpone flights.
Flights to and from Vienna International Airport, one of central Europe’s busiest, were temporarily halted on Tuesday, with delays ongoing. Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport was forced to restrict arrivals, while Slovakia’s international airport was closed for hours.
Hungary’s transport minister, János Lázár, wrote on social media that “freezing rain and extreme icing conditions” halted all departures and arrivals at Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest.
The airport reopened at 1pm but passengers have been warned of further delays and cancellations due to the unfavourable weather conditions.
Flights diverted and public transport derailed
Vienna International Airport spokesperson Peter Kleemann told the Austria Press Agency that incoming flights had been diverted to other airports such as Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne and Venice, while departures were delayed. Operations began to resume in late morning.
The cold snap has also caused disruptions to public transport.
After significant snowfall last week, tram services in Budapest were disrupted due to accumulating ice, the capital’s public transit authority said. Numerous national and international rail services were cancelled or delayed.
Austria’s national railway operator, ÖBB, said delays were expected in the north and east, including Vienna, and urged travellers to postpone non-urgent journeys. Some train services are still limited or being replaced by buses.
Snowfall and freezing rain cause travel delays
Czech authorities said some trains and buses were canceled, and passengers from the capital’s main station faced hours-long delays. They also said the D8 highway to Germany was closed due to an accident on the German side. Parts of eastern Germany saw icy roads.
In Romania, which has had heavy snowfall over the past week, temperatures in some areas were forecast as low as -13 degrees Celsius, forcing some schools to move classes online.
Hungary’s Meteorological Service said in a statement that significant snowfall could be expected in the east while rain and freezing rain was likely farther west.
Passengers are advised to check for the latest updates before setting off.
