Airports closed in Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Prague
Due to black ice and extreme icing, Ferenc Liszt International Airport is temporarily not receiving and launching flights since 10:25 am for safety reasons. Budapest Airport will continue to provide updates on the developments; please follow the airport operator’s online platforms,
BudAir says on its welbsite.
The airports in Vienna and Bratislava were also previously closed. A thick layer of ice had formed on runways in Vienna and kept freezing up again after efforts to clear it, a spokesperson said. Flights being diverted to other airports, they added. Freezing rain had left Prague Airport operating in a "very limited mode", according to a message on its X account, Reuters reported.
"Due to adverse meteorological conditions on the runway, the airport will be closed on 13. 1. 2026 until 11:15 a.m. As a result, flight delays are expected during the morning hours. An emergency operations team is in session to assess runway braking action and determine when the airport can safely resume operations," the Bratislava Airport says.
A warm front has reached Hungary and neighbouring countries from the west, bringing precipitation and warming the upper layers of the atmosphere. These weather conditions pose a significant risk to air traffic, as rain that freezes on the ground makes runways extremely slippery, rendering safe taxiing, take-off and landing impossible.
Cover image (for illustration purposes only): Getty Images
