Watch: easyJet Plane Finally Takes Off After Liverpool Airport Closure

January 5, 2026 at 08:59 PM•2 min read

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) reopened its runway after a seven-hour closure due to snow and ice, causing 26 flight cancellations and significant operational disruption.

Key Points

126 flights were cancelled at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) due to wintry conditions.
2The runway was closed for approximately seven hours, from 8am until 3pm.
3The disruption was caused by sub-zero temperatures and ice across the Merseyside region.
4An easyJet aircraft was filmed making the first departure after the runway reopened.

The runway at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) has reopened. This follows a day of wintry weather flight cancellations and delays. Snow and ice forced a runway temporary closure for safety reasons. The closure lasted approximately seven hours on Monday.

Operational Disruption and Reopening

The airport confirmed the closure at 8am via a post on X. Maintenance teams worked to clear the surface. They removed snow and ice from the tarmac. This action was crucial for safe operations. The Merseyside sub-zero temperatures dipped below -2C. This created hazardous icy conditions.

In total, 26 arriving and departing flights were cancelled. This caused significant aviation operational disruption for passengers. Over 50 flights were scheduled to leave that day.

LPL’s runway was cleared and reopened around 3pm. The airport issued an update on its website. It confirmed the reopening following safety issues. However, flights remained subject to further delay. Passengers were urged to check with their specific airline.

Footage captured the first plane to depart. YouTube channel Livin' It Large Aviation filmed the event. The video showed an easyJet aircraft departure at sunset.

Wider UK Travel Impact

The cold snap affected travel across the region. UK weather warnings were in place for snow and ice. The Met Office issued a yellow warning for the area. This extended into Tuesday for parts of the North West.

Other transport networks also saw delays. Roads in and around Merseyside faced snow and ice disruption. Bus and train services, including Merseyrail, were impacted.

Severe weather often presents major challenges for European aviation. Regulators like EASA mandate strict safety protocols. Airports must prioritize passenger and crew safety. This often requires ground stops for de-icing or clearing.

Major carriers like Emirates and those operating Airbus aircraft plan for winter conditions. However, rapid, heavy snowfall can overwhelm ground crews. This leads to inevitable delays and cancellations. Travelers should always monitor the latest commercial aviation news at [flying.flights].