Belfast International Airport: 50 Flights Cancelled as New Snow Threat Looms.

January 5, 2026 at 04:10 PM•3 min read

Belfast International Airport saw 50 cancellations due to snow and ice, as the Met Office warns a low-pressure system could bring more severe weather later this week.

Key Points

150 flights were cancelled at Belfast International Airport since Sunday due to snow and ice, causing significant travel disruption.
2The Met Office has issued a yellow ice warning for all of Northern Ireland and forecasts a low-pressure system that could bring more heavy snow later this week.
3Widespread community impact includes the closure of 207 schools, representing approximately one-fifth of all primary and special schools in the region.
4Aviation stakeholders are focused on de-icing procedures and the 'clean-airplane' concept to ensure safety during the ongoing cold snap.

The recent Arctic cold snap has severely impacted commercial aviation and travel across Northern Ireland. Belfast International Airport (Belfast International Airport) reported 50 flight cancellations since Sunday due to the heavy snow and ice. The airport remains operational but has advised passengers to check with their airlines for current status and potential delays.

Aviation Operations Under Ice Warning

The widespread winter aviation disruption follows a Met Office yellow weather warning for ice. This warning covers all of Northern Ireland, signaling a risk of icy patches on untreated roads and pavements. The freezing conditions have made travel to and from the airport hazardous.

50 Flights Cancelled at Belfast International since Sunday.
Yellow Ice Warning is currently in effect across the region.
20% of Primary Schools were shut today due to the weather.

Airport and airline staff are working to maintain operations. The core principle of UK winter operations is the "clean-airplane" concept. This requires all frost, ice, or snow to be removed from critical surfaces before takeoff. This process, often involving de-icing fluid, is crucial for safety but can cause delays.

Met Office Forecast and Future Snow Threat

The Met Office has indicated a potential for further significant snowfall later in the week. A low-pressure system is approaching the UK. Forecaster Liam Eslick noted that the system's path remains uncertain. If the system tracks further north, Northern Ireland could see “quite a bit more snow and strong winds.” The Met Office’s “preferred” prediction, however, is a more southerly track, which would avoid the Province.

Snow Depth and Regional Impact

Snowfall accumulations across the region have been notable. The deepest Castlederg snow depth was recorded at 9cm in County Tyrone. This was followed by 8cm at Lough Fea in Londonderry. While significant for Northern Ireland, this is far less than the maximum 52cm recorded in parts of Scotland.

Broader Travel and Community Impact

The severe weather has caused widespread community disruption beyond the airport. A total of 207 schools were closed today due to the snow and ice. This represents nearly 20% of all primary schools and a fifth of all special schools in Northern Ireland.

For passengers, the Northern Ireland flight cancellations highlight the need for vigilance. Airlines and airports, including Belfast International Airport, advise travelers to check their flight status before leaving home. This is standard procedure during winter aviation disruption events. The ice weather warning also poses risks for ground travel to the airport.

Industry bodies like the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Eurocontrol stress the importance of pre-planning for de-icing delays and capacity reductions during winter weather. This proactive approach helps maintain safety and manage passenger flow. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.