Vienna Airport Halts Flights as Heavy Snow Paralyzes Austria

Severe winter weather brought operations at Vienna International Airport to a temporary standstill on Friday, as heavy snowfall disrupted air traffic and triggered widespread travel chaos across Austria.

Airport authorities paused flights after significant snow accumulation blanketed runways and taxiways. The airport, one of Central Europe’s key aviation hubs, reported extensive delays, diversions and cancellations affecting both domestic and international routes.

According to national media and the Austrian Press Agency, snowfall totals ranged between 10 and 30 centimeters across various regions since Thursday. Areas surrounding the capital recorded approximately 20 centimeters of snow, creating hazardous conditions for air and ground transport alike.

More than 230 inbound flights were either disrupted or rerouted, while numerous outbound departures faced delays. At least 19 flights were canceled as of Friday morning.

Beyond aviation disruptions, snow and ice caused multiple traffic accidents throughout Vienna. Emergency crews and municipal road maintenance teams mobilized rapidly, clearing roughly 15,000 tons of snow, the equivalent of nearly 1,000 truckloads, in an effort to restore mobility across major transport corridors.

Airport officials urged passengers to verify their flight status before traveling to the terminal, emphasizing the fluid nature of the situation as crews continue deicing and runway clearance operations