Prague Airport suspends operations due to freezing rain

UPDATED: According to the Prague Airport website, the suspension of operations affected fewer than a dozen arrivals and departures. Service was resumed around 8:30 p.m. An airport spokesperson stated that, based on the current weather forecast, they do not expect the situation to worsen further. Passengers can check the current status of their flight on the website or with their airline.  

Václav Havel Airport Prague halted all operations at 5 p.m. CET on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions, spokeswoman Denisa Hejtmánková confirmed.

Freezing rain has created hazardous conditions on runways, prompting the temporary closure.

Hejtmánková said the airport expects to resume operations later in the evening but advised passengers to check the airport's website for real-time updates on departures and arrivals.

The severe weather has caused widespread disruptions across Europe, affecting major airports in Britain, the Netherlands, and Germany. Heavy snowfall led to cancellations of dozens of flights at Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and Amsterdam airports, according to news agencies.

Earlier in the day, Manchester and Liverpool airports were forced to close their runways due to similar conditions.

For further updates follow the airport on X.com or visit www.prg.aero.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a warning about freezing rain and the formation of ice, which could be severe in some areas. Ice conditions are expected to persist across the Czech Republic until Monday morning.

Shortly before 4 p.m. Friday, meteorologists reported on the X platform that freezing rain or drizzle was occurring in most regions of the country. They also noted that additional precipitation is moving in from the west, which is likely to lead to further ice formation in many areas.

Residents are advised to exercise caution as these conditions could significantly impact transportation and outdoor activities.

Czech Railways (ČD) has bolstered services on key routes, including Brno–Prague and Ostrava–Prague, in response to severe weather, with emergency teams and auxiliary locomotives on standby. RegioJet has increased capacity by a third on routes like Ostrava–Prague and Vienna–Brno–Prague, with high demand reported. Passengers are urged to check real-time updates via the ČD website, My Train app, or social media platforms.