Airport Runway Re-opens After ‘Blizzard Conditions’

The 'Beast from the East' has brought heavy snowfall overnight forcing Dublin Airport to shut down its departures road and runway operations for a time this morning

The Airport says it was forced to suspend runway and taxiway operations due to the “blizzard conditions” and heavy snow overnight brought by Storm Emma.

Several long-haul flights have diverted to Shannon Airport.

Runway and taxiways are now currently clear for flight operations (as of around 07.35am), but over 50 flights have been cancelled and there are still knock-on delays.

More than 50 flights have been cancelled and many more delayed at Dublin Airport this morning. Passengers are advised to check airline websites before travel.

Ryanair and Aer Lingus are among the airlines forced to cancel flights.

At Belfast City Airport, the Leeds Bradford, London City, Glasgow and Manchester flights, expected to depart earlier this morning have all been cancelled, and travellers are advised to check with their airlines for the status of their flight.

The 17.20pm to Glasgow and 19.55pm to Edinburgh departing Belfast International have also been cancelled.

There are no cancellations reported at City of Derry Airport.

The over-riding advice is to check regularly with your airline or travel agent, monitor weather reports, and allow extra time for travel to the airports (where road conditions are poor).

Shannon Airport reports that schedules “are set to run as normal”, but it advises passengers to check with airlines.

Cork Airport say they are “open as maintenance teams have been working over the past 24 hours to treat the runway, apron and approach roads. There are slot delays at other Airports which will delay some flights.”

A Status Red alert has been issued by Irish weather service Met Éireann – that is the highest level of warning – meaning “to take action to protect” yourselves or your property.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports that public transport has been severely affected by the adverse conditions, after overnight snowfall led to accumulations of between five and 10cm. Reports state that the snowfall up to midday on Thursday may reach 25cm (10 inches), and commuters advised to make online checks in relation to their travel plans.

Some airport coach operations may also be affected, such as the Belfast-Dublin link.

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