Extreme Cold Strands Tourists: Why European Flight Cancellations Are Spreading

January 12, 2026 at 12:47 PM•2 min read

European flight cancellations are stranding thousands of tourists, especially in Finnish Lapland, as extreme cold and snow make Kittilä airport operations exceptionally difficult.

Key Points

1Temperatures plummeted to -37°C (-34.6°F) at Kittilä airport, forcing flight cancellations and stranding thousands of tourists in Finnish Lapland.
2The extreme cold created severe aircraft de-icing difficulties, as de-icing fluids can become ineffective or too viscous below their Lowest Operational Use Temperature (LOUT).
3Widespread winter travel disruption is affecting northern, central, and eastern Europe, with rail and air delays reported in Germany, Poland, and the Baltic countries.

The extreme cold weather has caused widespread European flight cancellations.

Thousands of stranded tourists Finland are now facing severe delays. This is primarily centered at Kittilä airport in Finnish Lapland. The deep freeze has crippled Kittilä airport operations.

The Lapland Crisis

Temperatures at Kittilä airport plummeted to minus 37 degrees Celsius (-34.6 degrees Fahrenheit). This severe chill followed several days of frigid conditions. The Finnish Meteorological Institute forecast temperatures nearing minus 40C (-40F) for Monday.

Crucial ground operations were made exceptionally difficult by the cold. The main issue was aircraft de-icing difficulties. De-icing is essential for safe winter flying. Ice on an aircraft's wings reduces lift by 30%. It also increases aerodynamic drag by 40%.

Technical Impact on Operations

Extreme cold directly affects the performance of de-icing fluids. The fluids can become too viscous at very low temperatures. This means they may not flow off the aircraft properly during takeoff. This creates an unacceptable aerodynamic situation.

Regulators mandate strict safety buffers for these operations. The Lowest Operational Use Temperature (LOUT) determines the coldest safe operating temperature for a fluid. Temperatures below this LOUT require re-treatment or cancellation. The conditions in the Finnish Lapland deep freeze exceeded safe operational limits.

Extreme weather is a leading cause of delays globally. According to the FAA, extreme weather accounts for over 75% of delays lasting more than 15 minutes. European operators must comply with strict EASA winter operations rules. Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 requires operators to establish clear de-icing procedures. This is to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft.

Wider European Disruption

The cold snap has caused significant winter travel disruption across Europe. Heavy snowfall, high winds, and icy roads have affected ground transport. In Germany, rail operator Deutsche Bahn halted long-distance rail service in the north. This stranded thousands of travelers.

German airports also saw dozens of flight cancellations and hundreds of delays. Warsaw’s Chopin Airport in Poland faced major delays and diversions due to rapidly accumulating snow. Earlier in the month, mass cancellations hit airports in France and the Netherlands. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) reported hundreds of cancellations over several days. The global aviation sector, as reported in commercial aviation news on flying.flights, continues to grapple with climate-related operational challenges. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) works to harmonize global de-icing standards to improve efficiency.