Storm Goretti has wreaked havoc across Europe, leaving thousands of passengers grounded as UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Hungary face massive travel disruptions. A total of 482 flights have been cancelled and 3,838 flights delayed due to the severe weather conditions, primarily impacting major airports like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Budapest. Airlines such as KLM, Air France, Swiss, easyJet, and Wizz Air are among those severely affected by the storm. Flight cancellations and delays have caused chaos at key transportation hubs, leaving passengers struggling to make alternate plans.
With strong winds and heavy snow battering major cities, the storm has disrupted not just air travel but also train services, amplifying the challenges for travelers across the continent. The effects of Storm Goretti are expected to continue, with more travel issues anticipated in the coming days.
Countries and Cities Affected by Storm Goretti
The impact of the storm has been particularly severe in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Travelers in these regions have been faced with cancelled flights, train suspensions, and power outages, which have compounded the challenges of already freezing weather.
United Kingdom
The UK was one of the first countries to feel the effects of the storm. Birmingham International (BHX) and London Heathrow (LHR) experienced significant flight delays and cancellations, with several train services also disrupted in the West Midlands due to thick snow. British Airways, which operates from Heathrow, was severely impacted, with multiple cancellations and delays throughout the day. Passengers were advised to stay home or find alternate routes.
France
In France, around 380,000 households lost electricity, particularly in Normandy and Brittany, while SNCF suspended trains between Paris and Normandy. At Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Air France was affected by major disruptions, with several flights cancelled and delayed. The storm’s impact also reached EDF, France’s state energy company, which had to take two reactors offline at Flamanville power station after high-voltage lines were disrupted. The heavy snow further complicated operations at Charles de Gaulle, making it difficult for passengers to travel.
Germany
Germany saw some of the worst impacts, particularly in northern Germany. Hamburg Airport (HAM) saw 40 flights cancelled while Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway operator, suspended long-distance services, leaving travelers stranded. The extreme weather caused flight cancellations at Munich International (MUC) and Frankfurt International (FRA). Lufthansa and Swiss Airlines were also severely impacted by the storm. The storm’s force was so strong that Volkswagen closed its plant in Wolfsburg early, and Deutsche Bahn issued warnings about travel disruptions for several days.
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, Schiphol Airport (AMS) was one of the most affected airports. The storm led to cancellations by KLM, which had to cancel dozens of flights, adding to the already significant delays. At Schiphol, KLM experienced major operational challenges, while easyJet and other airlines like Wizz Air also had to delay several flights. Amsterdam Schiphol has long been a major hub for European and international travel, and the snowstorm had a profound effect on operations at one of the busiest airports in Europe.
Hungary and the Balkans
In Hungary, the storm caused heavy snow, and the military was called in to assist motorists who were trapped by snowdrifts. In the Western Balkans, Albania was hit by widespread flooding, and Turkey saw gale-force winds ripping off roofs and causing damage. Flights in and out of these regions were delayed, and several airports in Albania and Turkey reported cancellations.
| Airport Name | IATA Code | Total Cancelled Flights | Total Delayed Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Schiphol | AMS | 148 | 362 |
| London Heathrow | LHR | 52 | 293 |
| Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (Paris) | CDG | 50 | 433 |
| Hamburg | HAM | 29 | 96 |
| Zurich (Kloten) | ZRH | 33 | 104 |
| Malpensa Int’l (Milan) | MXP | 16 | 99 |
| Václav Havel Airport (Prague) | PRG | 14 | 162 |
| Imam Khomeini Int’l | IKA | 19 | 13 |
| Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int’l | SAW | 18 | 328 |
| Birmingham Int’l | BHX | 11 | 101 |
| Vienna Int’l (Schwechat) | VIE | 8 | 223 |
| Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas | MAD | 9 | 191 |
| Dusseldorf Int’l | DUS | 8 | 70 |
| Nice Cote d’Azur | NCE | 8 | 54 |
| Barcelona Int’l | BCN | 8 | 130 |
| Copenhagen | CPH | 12 | 124 |
| Berlin-Brandenburg | BER | 8 | 99 |
| Helsinki-Vantaa | HEL | 8 | 85 |
| Brussels | BRU | 7 | 70 |
| London Luton | LTN | 4 | 34 |
| Hanover/Langenhagen Int’l | HAJ | 8 | 22 |
| Paris Orly | ORY | 7 | 164 |
| Manchester | MAN | 10 | 164 |
| Geneva Cointrin Int’l | GVA | 3 | 56 |
| Munich Int’l | MUC | 6 | 102 |
| Toulouse-Blagnac | TLS | 6 | 38 |
| Luxembourg Int’l | LUX | 6 | 24 |
| Linate (Milan) | LIN | 6 | 20 |
| Biarritz | BIQ | 3 | 1 |
| Frankfurt Int’l | FRA | 5 | 129 |
| Dublin Int’l | DUB | 8 | 123 |
| Edinburgh | EDI | 5 | 75 |
| Marseille Provence | MRS | 2 | 21 |
| Bilbao | BIO | 2 | 15 |
| Glasgow Int’l | GLA | 7 | 15 |
| Bremen | BRE | 3 | 10 |
| Leonardo da Vinci Int’l (Fiumicino, Rome) | FCO | 5 | 137 |
| Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport | BUD | 2 | 59 |
| Bucharest Henri Coandă Int’l | OTP | 2 | 48 |
| Malaga | AGP | 4 | 81 |
| Vnukovo (Moscow) | VKO | 2 | 44 |
Airlines and Airports Affected by Storm Goretti
Several major European airlines were severely impacted by Storm Goretti. The storm affected KLM, Air France, easyJet, British Airways, Swiss, and Wizz Air, all of which struggled with cancellations and delays.
KLM:
KLM was one of the hardest-hit airlines, with 80 flights cancelled to and from Amsterdam Schiphol. This is in addition to the hundreds of flights that had already been cancelled earlier in the week due to freezing conditions. KLM had to suspend multiple international routes, leading to significant delays at Schiphol.
Air France:
Air France also suffered major disruptions. The airline had to cancel several flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle due to heavy snow and strong winds. With nearly 51 cancellations and 253 delays, Air France passengers had to deal with extended wait times and rebookings.
British Airways:
At London Heathrow, British Airways reported 34 cancellations and 98 delays. Many flights were delayed due to the combination of snow and high winds, making it difficult for aircraft to take off or land safely.
easyJet:
easyJet was significantly impacted by the storm as well, especially at airports in the UK and the Netherlands, where they had 282 delays and 7 cancellations. The budget carrier has a significant presence at London Luton (LTN) and Amsterdam Schiphol, both of which faced flight disruptions.
Swiss Airlines:
Swiss was another carrier that saw cancellations due to the storm. With 19 cancellations and 26 delays, Swiss Airlines passengers were affected across several European hubs, including Zurich.
What Affected Passengers Can Do Now
Passengers affected by the storm are urged to stay updated with the latest flight and train information from their airlines and transportation providers. Passengers can check airline websites, mobile apps, and airport social media accounts for updates on cancellations and delays.
For those whose flights were cancelled, it’s advisable to contact the airline for rebooking or alternative routes. Passengers may also be entitled to compensation under EU regulations EC261 for long delays or cancellations, including accommodation and meal vouchers if they are stranded overnight.
In the event of train cancellations, Deutsche Bahn and SNCF offer real-time updates and will provide passengers with alternative travel routes or refunds where applicable. For those still traveling within affected areas, it’s essential to check weather reports and stay in contact with local transport services for any emergency updates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Storm Goretti has caused widespread disruptions across Europe, with major airports like Schiphol, Charles de Gaulle, and Heathrow facing cancellations and delays. Airlines such as KLM, Air France, easyJet, and Swiss were among the most affected. Passengers are urged to stay informed and reach out to airlines and transport providers for rebooking and compensation options. With the storm still affecting parts of Europe, travelers should continue monitoring the situation closely and plan their journeys accordingly.
Source: FlightAware and Affected Airports
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