Icy Conditions Force Four Major Central European Airports to Halt Operations

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 14, 2026 at 01:34 AM•2 min read

Icy Conditions Force Four Major Central European Airports to Halt Operations

Four major Central European airports—Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague—temporarily closed or restricted operations on Tuesday due to severe icy conditions, causing widespread flight delays and travel chaos.

Key Points

1Four major Central European airports—Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague—temporarily closed or restricted operations on January 13 due to severe icy conditions.
2Vienna International Airport reported runways kept refreezing despite extensive de-icing efforts, forcing flight diversions and an 11.5-hour closure in one report.
3The primary cause was freezing rain, which is significantly harder to clear than snow, leading to black ice and high safety risks on runways.
4EASA regulations require strict adherence to the 'clean aircraft concept' and ground de-icing procedures, highlighting safety over operational speed.

Severe winter weather has caused significant freezing weather travel chaos across Central Europe. Four major airports faced temporary closures or severe operational limits on Tuesday, January 13. This disruption affected thousands of passengers and flights. The affected hubs were Budapest Vienna Bratislava Prague airports. These Central European airport closures highlight the challenges of winter weather airport operations.

Operational Impact

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport halted all flights. This was due to black ice and extreme icing conditions. Temperatures in the region dropped to lows of -15°C. Vienna International Airport also closed its runways. A thick layer of ice kept refreezing despite clearance efforts. This forced numerous flights to divert to other airports. Bratislava Airport also suspended all flights temporarily. Meanwhile, Václav Havel Airport Prague operated in a very limited mode. Prague restricted arrivals to allow for de-icing of runways and taxiways. These measures led to extensive icy conditions flight delays throughout the day. The knock-on effect of these closures will continue to impact airline schedules.

Aviation Safety and De-Icing Challenges

Freezing rain presents a unique and severe hazard to aviation. Unlike snow, freezing rain creates a slick, clear layer of ice. This ice is extremely difficult to remove from airport surfaces. The persistent refreezing at Vienna illustrates this operational difficulty.

Safety is the top priority for all commercial aviation news. European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations mandate strict procedures. Operators must ensure a "clean aircraft concept" before departure. This means all ice and contaminants must be removed. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also promotes global de-icing standards. Severe icing conditions can overwhelm standard aircraft de-icing operations. This necessitates ground stops to ensure safety. Such extreme weather requires specialized equipment and chemicals.

Wider European Cold Front Impact

The Central European closures follow similar issues in Northern Europe. Kittilä Airport in Finland saw temperatures drop to -37°C. This brutal cold also caused significant flight cancellations. Meteorologists predict further European cold front impact. Blizzard-like conditions are forecast for parts of the UK later this week. The ongoing cold snap continues to challenge air travel logistics. For more aviation news updates, visit flying.flights.