Manchester Airport has temporarily closed its runways this morning due to heavy snow. The airport announced the closure on January 5, around 6:39 am, citing serious weather conditions as the reason for grounding flights. Crews are currently working diligently to clear the runways to allow operations to resume as soon as safely possible.
Passengers traveling through Manchester Airport have received assurance from airport officials about the situation. They stated, "Our runways are temporarily closed due to heavy snow, as our teams work hard to clear them as quickly as possible. The safety of our passengers is our top priority, and we appreciate your patience during this time. Please check with your airline for the latest flight information and allow extra travel time today. We will update you as soon as possible. Thank you." This message underlines the commitment of the airport to prioritize passenger safety amid significant operational disruptions.
The inclement weather isn’t isolated to Manchester alone. The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings due to continuous snowfall across the Greater Manchester region. Many areas are warned to expect up to 40 cm of snow on higher ground. The adverse conditions have particularly raised concerns about traffic and travel disruptions, with remote communities being particularly vulnerable to isolation.
Compounding the situation, flights have not only been suspended at Manchester Airport but also at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, where all inbound and outbound flights were grounded around 6:08 am this morning due to similar snow concerns. A traffic monitoring system reported, "All flights are suspended at Liverpool Airport due to snow. The runway is currently closed. Work is taking place to clear the snow. Passengers should check with their airline before travelling." This crisis highlights the impact of winter weather on air travel across the region.
Road traffic also suffered due to the snow. Key routes, including the A54 through Tarvin and the A537 Cat and Fiddle from Bull Lane, have been impacted, leading to closed slip roads on the M6 at junction 20 for Lymm. Areas around Greater Manchester saw significant snow accumulation, triggering several road safety warnings and difficulties for commuters attempting to navigate the icy conditions.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Airport suspended operations overnight for safety and snow-clearing measures, indicating the widespread influence of this winter storm. Fortunately, the airport reported it was back to normal operations by the morning. This contrasts with Bristol Airport, which reopened around 11 pm but still cautioned passengers about potential delays on Sunday morning because aircraft were still repositioning after earlier closures.
Given the fast-changing weather conditions, travelers are encouraged to keep informed. Regular access to updates via airline check-ins, official airport social media pages, and local news sources is recommended to maintain up-to-date knowledge on flight status and travel advisory. Manchester Airport reiterated the importance of remaining adaptable and checking for the latest information from airlines before heading to the airport, as adjustments to schedules could continue throughout the day.
This situation highlights not only the challenges posed by severe winter weather but also the resilience of transportation systems and the commitment to passenger safety during unforeseen circumstances. Individuals planning to travel are advised to prepare for possible delays and disruptions as the airplanes, crews, and road conditions adjust to the winter snowfall.
Authorities anticipate resumption of normal services as soon as conditions allow but urge everyone to remain patient as airport staff and local services work rapidly to clear the airfield and surrounding infrastructure. The safety of the public remains of utmost importance as this winter weather continues to affect travel plans unprecedentedly.