Heavy snowfall disrupted travel in southern Germany and parts of neighbouring Switzerland and Austria, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled so far.
Munich, Germany’s second busiest airport, took the main hit. It was forced to close at around 10.35pm on Dec 1 night and is not expected to reopen until Dec 3. Some 760 flights were scheduled for Dec 2.
That shutdown had knock-on effects for Frankfurt airport, Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s top hub, which is “experiencing an increase in aircraft and passenger traffic”, according to a statement.
In Switzerland, 22 departures and 21 arrivals were cancelled at Zurich Airport because of continuing snowfall. Additionally, de-icing procedures added some 20 to 40 minutes to take-offs, delaying departures.
Innsbruck airport, in western Austria, also said that heavy snowfall led to “significantly restricted” flight operations.
With the German Meteorological Office warning of “severe weather” in the state of Bavaria, Munich rail routes to cities including Salzburg and Innsbruck in Austria, Zurich, and Nuremberg and Stuttgart in Germany were also affected.
“We assume that the restrictions will continue throughout Dec 2,” Deutsche Bahn said in a statement. “We recommend postponing travel to and from Munich.”
The snow also halted a scheduled football match on Dec 2 between Bayern Munich and Union Berlin in Germany’s top division.
“The stadium owner has closed the Allianz Arena due to the heavy and persistent snowfall and the associated safety risks,” said Germany’s football association DFL. “A new date will be announced shortly.”
Central Europe is not alone in facing transport chaos due to snow. Travel warnings are multiplying across Britain this weekend, with rail strikes and planned works exacerbating the situation.
Glasgow Airport on Dec 2 said its runway was now fully operational and it would resume flights after planes were grounded earlier due to heavy snowfall.
“Our runway is now fully operational again and we are working with our airline partners and their handlers to resume flight schedules,” Glasgow Airport said.
The Scottish airport had earlier said flight operations were suspended because of a combination of heavier than forecast snow and freezing conditions throughout the night and early morning.
Britain’s Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across parts of north-west England and southern Scotland, with wintry showers expected to lead to some icy patches and snow cover in places.
Across Britain, some football matches and horse racing fixtures were among the events abandoned or suspended due to snow or unsafe playing surfaces.
Several Scottish Professional Football League matches due to be played on Dec 2 have been postponed, including a game between Livingston and Ross County because of a frozen pitch.
Newcastle Racecourse in northern England also abandoned a high-profile hurdle race fixture on Dec 2 due to frozen ground. BLOOMBERG, REUTERS
