Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Vienna Airport and City Traffic

Vienna International Airport paused flights on Friday due to heavy snowfall, which also caused multiple traffic accidents across the city. Snow totals ranged from 10 to 30 centimeters, with about 20 centimeters near the airport, delaying many outbound flights and disrupting over 230 inbound flights, including 19 cancellations. Road crews cleared around 15,000 tons of snow, and officials urged passengers to check flight statuses before traveling.

Vienna International Airport, one of Europe’s major aviation hubs, temporarily paused flights on Friday due to heavy snowfall, causing widespread disruption for both travelers and airport operations. The severe winter weather not only affected air travel but also led to multiple traffic accidents across the Austrian capital, as reported by the public broadcaster, Österreichischer Rundfunk. Authorities warned that road conditions were hazardous, with snow and ice creating significant safety risks for drivers throughout the city.
The heavy snowfall began on Thursday and continued into Friday, affecting several regions of Austria. Snow accumulation ranged from 10 centimeters (approximately 4 inches) to 30 centimeters (nearly 12 inches) in different areas, with the airport vicinity receiving roughly 20 centimeters (around 8 inches), according to the Austrian Press Agency. The accumulation made it challenging for airport operations, leading to the delay of numerous outbound flights and disruption of more than 230 inbound flights. As of Friday morning, around 19 flights had been canceled entirely, further compounding travel difficulties for passengers.
To mitigate the impact of the snowfall, road maintenance and airport ground services have been working continuously to clear snow and ensure safety. Approximately 1,000 lorry loads of snow, totaling nearly 15,000 tons, have been removed from roads and airport grounds so far. Despite these efforts, officials urged travelers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport, as conditions remain unpredictable and further disruptions are possible.
The weather event highlights the vulnerability of transport infrastructure to severe winter conditions in Austria. For travelers, the combination of canceled flights and dangerous road conditions emphasized the need for careful planning and real-time updates from both airline and airport authorities. Airport management and local officials continue to monitor the situation closely, coordinating snow removal and safety measures to minimize the ongoing disruption.