Heavy snowfall forced the closure of runways at many of the UK’s main airports

Heavy snowfall forced the closure of runways at many of the UK's main airports

Heavy snowfall forced the closure of runways at many of the UK’s main airports

Heavy snowfall forced many of the UK’s main airports to block runways and cancel air travel on January 5. The extreme weather also caused significant disruptions in road and rail traffic.

The runway was closed owing to heavy snowfall

On January 5 (local time), Leeds Bradford Airport, one of the UK’s busiest airports, announced the closure of its runway owing to severe snowfall, impacting flight schedules.

Airport officials advise customers to contact their airline for flight information. The morning flights are expected to be rescheduled for the afternoon, pending weather conditions.

Extended runway closure

“Due to snow, the runway is temporarily closed, but the airport is open. “Please contact your airline for flight updates,” a Liverpool Airport spokesperson advised when advising passengers about the extended runway closure. In addition, bus and rental car services have been suspended, leaving passengers with only one alternative for getting to and from the airport: walk.

Heavy snowfall forced the closure of runways at many of the UK’s main airports

This is not the first airport in the UK to have announced runway closures and flight suspensions. Previously, a number of large airports, including Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast, and Liverpool, sent similar advisories to travelers.

Passengers react to the runway closure at Bristol Airport

Meanwhile, at Manchester Airport, many passengers related their experience of being stranded for hours since they boarded the plane but were unable to take off due to the runway closure order. The runway at Bristol Airport reopened around 5 a.m. Many planes were diverted to land there, requiring passengers to pay additional fees for taxis back to their original destinations.

In addition, travelers at Bristol Airport told Sky News that even though they had gotten off the plane a long time ago, they were unable to receive their checked bags because they had to wait for the baggage handlers’ shift to begin.

Heavy snowfall forced the closure of runways at many of the UK’s main airports

Bradford streets are coated with snow

Heavy snowfall has also hampered rail services. Wiltshire local authorities prepared alternate buses, which were later cancelled due to road closures.

The Met Office predicts that up to 25cm of snow may fall on British roads on January 5. Most of the UK has received severe weather warnings in yellow and orange.