How Bucharest Airports Maintain Normal Operations Amid Severe Cold Weather

January 13, 2026 at 12:51 PM•2 min read

Bucharest National Airports Company (CNAB) confirmed that Henri Coandă International Airport and Băneasa International Airport maintain normal flight schedules despite severe cold.

Key Points

1Air traffic remains normal at both Henri Coandă and Băneasa Airports as of January 12, 2026.
2No flights were canceled due to the extreme cold wave, which saw temperatures drop to minus 15 degrees Celsius in Bucharest.
3CNAB utilizes specialized equipment to keep all runways, aprons, and taxiways clear for safe operations.
4Minor delays are possible due to mandatory aircraft de-icing procedures, a critical safety measure performed by airlines.

Air traffic in Bucharest is currently operating under winter flight schedule conditions. Authorities confirmed normal air traffic at the capital’s two main hubs. These airports are Henri Coandă International Airport (Otopeni) and Băneasa International Airport. The Bucharest airport operations are unaffected despite a wave of severe cold temperatures.

Operational Resilience and CNAB Response

The Bucharest National Airports Company (CNAB) manages both airport facilities. CNAB confirmed that all runways, aprons, and taxiways remain open. This ensures all necessary conditions for safe passenger travel.

Airport teams are continuously working to maintain movement areas. They use specialized, airport-owned equipment for this task. CNAB has a fleet of multifunctional machines for snow removal and de-icing. These efforts highlight the airport operational resilience during adverse weather.

Aircraft are currently landing and taking off safely. So far, no flights have been canceled due to the current weather conditions. This is a positive sign for European winter travel in the region.

Managing Winter Aviation Challenges

The region is facing an intense cold wave. Meteorologists forecast minimum temperatures dropping to minus 15 degrees Celsius in the capital. The winter aviation challenges are managed efficiently, even with extremely low temperatures.

Officials, however, warn of potential minor delays. These delays are primarily caused by mandatory de-icing procedures. De-icing is a crucial safety step carried out by airlines. It ensures critical aircraft surfaces are free of ice or frost before takeoff. Aviation bodies like EASA and IATA mandate these strict protocols.

Airlines must perform de-icing after passengers board the aircraft.
This procedure ensures the safety of flights in severe winter conditions.
The use of de-icing fluid is essential for aircraft from manufacturers like Airbus and [Boeing] to maintain aerodynamic performance.

This robust response contrasts with disruptions seen elsewhere in Europe. Other major European airports have reported hundreds of flight cancellations due to snow and ice. For the latest commercial aviation news and operational updates, visit flying.flights.