Flight chaos as heavy snow shuts airport

AIRLINE flights at Dublin airport were thrown into chaos yesterday after heavy snowfall resulted in the closure of the runway.

More than 170 flights in and out of the airport were affected with Aer Lingus and Ryanair cancelling dozens of services.

A Dublin Airport Authority spokeswoman said they had to close the main runway around lunchtime because the snow was falling faster than they could clear it.

“When the snow is falling heavier than it can be cleared, there’s just no point,” she said.

Aer Lingus cancelled all departing services except two flights to London and New York, while Ryanair axed about 70 flights in and out of the capital and diverted a number of others to Cork, Knock and Shannon airports.

Massive numbers crammed into the arrivals and departure lounges during the blizzard-like conditions, with many stranded travellers booking into nearby hotels.

The Clarion, just across from the terminal building, was filled by mid-afternoon.

A spokesperson for the airport authority said the airport was reopened at 7pm.

Gardaí advised motorists to drive with extreme care as conditions were due to worsen and temperatures to plummet overnight.

AA Roadwatch branded conditions in Dublin extremely dangerous, with delays and poor visibility reported on the traffic-clogged M50.

A general warning was also given to motorists in the Wicklow area, with drivers urged to avoid the Sally Gap, Roundwood and Glencree areas.

Iarnród Éireann said no rail services were affected, although the intercity route remains suspended between Bray and Arklow.

Met Eireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy said weather stations indicated it was the coldest winter since 1991 in the Dublin region.

And while some people argue that spring begins in February, Mr Murphy said it was still part of the winter season in meteorological terms.

“For meteorological and climate purposes winter in Ireland is December, January and February as these are the coldest months and the summer is June, July August as these are the warmest months,” he said.

“This winter we have had quite a few nights with sharp frost and it’s been a while since the Dublin region has had such significant falls of snow.

“It’s unusual in that sense, but, on the other hand, it is winter weather.”

Mr Murphy said today and tomorrow would be very cold with a sharp frost at night.

Further wintry showers would mostly affect Ulster, Connacht and west Munster, but much of Leinster and a good part of Munster would be fairly dry and bright with some good sunshine.