Blizzard level snow sweeping across north east Scotland on January 2 has severely disrupted operations at Aberdeen International Airport, triggering a wave of cancellations and delays on flights to and from key European and domestic hubs including Amsterdam and London, even as snow clearance and de icing teams work continuously to keep the airfield open.

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Severe Arctic Blast Shuts Down Normal Operations

The disruption in Aberdeen comes amid an intense Arctic cold spell that has plunged much of Scotland into deep freeze conditions and prompted amber weather warnings for heavy snow and blizzard like conditions across the north and north east.

Forecasters have warned that accumulations of 10 to 20 centimetres are likely even at lower levels, with 30 to 40 centimetres possible on higher ground, accompanied by strong winds capable of generating drifting snow and whiteout conditions.

At Aberdeen International Airport, the combination of heavy snowfall and sub zero temperatures has forced ground crews to repeatedly suspend movements on the runway while they clear compacted snow and treat surfaces for ice.

Airport operator AGS Airports confirmed that the airfield remains officially open but described conditions as extremely challenging and warned that short notice pauses to operations are likely as further bands of snow move through the region.

The intensity of the weather has had a knock on effect across the wider transport network in the north east, with road authorities reporting snow gates closed on key trunk routes and rail operators warning of reduced services or outright cancellations on some lines.

Against that backdrop, aviation officials have urged travelers to think carefully before setting out and to allow significantly more time for their journeys to and from the airport.

Flights to Amsterdam and London Hit by Cancellations

Flights connecting Aberdeen with Amsterdam Schiphol and London airports have been among the hardest hit, reflecting both the local conditions in Scotland and parallel weather related capacity problems at major European hubs.

Services operated by KLM between Aberdeen and Amsterdam have seen cancellations and extended delays as both ends of the route grapple with snow, freezing rain and the time consuming process of de icing aircraft.

British Airways and other carriers operating links between Aberdeen and London Heathrow and London Gatwick have also reported cancellations and delays, as ground handling teams struggle to turn aircraft around quickly in difficult conditions.

Some departures from Aberdeen have pushed back only to return to stand for additional de icing, while inbound flights have been placed into holding patterns or diverted when visibility and braking action on the runway deteriorate.

Airport sources have indicated that while some flights are still operating, schedules are subject to constant revision and that airlines are proactively consolidating or axing rotations to avoid passengers becoming stranded on aircraft or in terminals for extended periods.

Travelers booked on early morning and late evening services have been particularly vulnerable, as those periods often coincide with the lowest temperatures and most intense snow showers.

Snow Removal and De Icing Teams Battle the Elements

Behind the scenes, the airport’s winter operations plan has been fully activated, with convoys of snowploughs, sweepers and de icing vehicles circulating continuously around the airfield.

Crews have been working in overlapping shifts to keep at least one runway operational wherever possible, focusing on clearing compacted snow down to bare pavement and then applying anti icing chemicals to prevent refreezing.

The process is complicated by the dynamic nature of the weather system affecting the north east. Periods of heavy snowfall are interspersed with gusty winds that blow snow back across treated surfaces, quickly degrading braking conditions.

Each time that happens, air traffic controllers are forced to suspend take offs and landings while inspection teams assess the state of the runway and snow clearing units make fresh passes.

What might normally take minutes can stretch into half hour or longer closures when visibility drops to near zero.

Aircraft de icing has become another critical choke point. Before departure, ground crews must remove accumulated snow and ice from wings, tailplanes and fuselage surfaces and then apply de icing and anti icing fluids to prevent contamination during taxi and take off.

In bitterly cold, windy conditions this procedure takes longer and often has to be repeated if take off queues build up. Each additional cycle adds strain to already stretched manpower and equipment resources.

Passengers Face Long Waits, Rebookings and Night Stays

For many passengers, the blizzard conditions have translated into hours long waits in the terminal and, in some cases, unplanned overnight stays in Aberdeen or connecting cities.

Those attempting to reach continental Europe via Amsterdam have found themselves rebooked onto later flights or redirected through alternative hubs when onward connections evaporate due to widespread weather related disruption.

Travelers heading to and from London have reported repeatedly revised departure times, gate changes and limited availability on subsequent services as airlines consolidate operations onto a smaller number of rotations.

Some passengers have described boarding flights that later returned to stand for additional de icing or crew duty time limitations, leading to cancellations after several hours on the ground.

Airport staff and airline customer service teams have encouraged affected customers to make use of digital rebooking tools and mobile apps where available, as call centres struggle with heavy volumes.

Hotels near the airport have quickly filled with stranded passengers, particularly those arriving on evening flights that missed curfew or lost their onward connections when schedules unraveled across the UK network.

Wider UK and European Weather Patterns Compound Disruption

The problems at Aberdeen International Airport are being compounded by severe winter weather patterns across the UK and mainland Europe.

Amber and yellow weather warnings are in force for snow and ice across large parts of Scotland, while further south, stretches of England and Wales are also experiencing snow showers and icy surfaces that affect road, rail and air services.

In the Netherlands, Amsterdam Schiphol has warned of hundreds of cancellations and delays as snow, freezing rain and strong winds affect one of Europe’s busiest hubs. Airlines including KLM have pre emptively scrapped flights and cautioned passengers about the likelihood of last minute changes over the weekend.

The situation at Schiphol has a direct impact on Aberdeen, where Amsterdam serves as a key international gateway for business travelers and offshore energy workers heading to destinations worldwide.

London airports are also dealing with the strain of winter operations, from de icing constraints to air traffic control flow restrictions designed to maintain safety margins in poor visibility and low cloud.

As a result, even when Aberdeen succeeds in clearing its runway, there is no guarantee that receiving airports further south or on the continent can accept traffic at the planned times, leading to knock on delays and diversions.

Authorities Urge Only Essential Travel as Cold Spell Continues

Scottish transport authorities and Police Scotland have reiterated appeals for the public to avoid non essential journeys during the period of amber warnings.

With roads already treacherous due to drifting snow and black ice, officials have stressed that those considering driving to Aberdeen International Airport for flights should first confirm that their service is operating and build in significant extra travel time.

The Met Office expects the cold spell to persist into the weekend and potentially beyond, with further heavy showers sweeping across coastal and upland areas.

That raises the prospect of continued challenges for airports in the north of Scotland, including Aberdeen, where even short lulls in snowfall can be followed by fresh bursts of intense precipitation. Rural communities may experience temporary isolation, and power cuts remain a risk in exposed areas.

Within the aviation sector, safety regulators have underscored that decisions to suspend operations, divert flights or hold aircraft on the ground are taken with passenger and crew safety as the overriding priority.

While the resulting disruption is highly inconvenient, especially for those attempting to return from holidays or reach offshore installations, there is broad recognition that landing or taking off on contaminated runways in near whiteout conditions carries unacceptable risk.

What Travelers Using Aberdeen Airport Should Do

For passengers with imminent travel plans through Aberdeen International Airport, the most important step is to monitor flight information closely.

Airlines are updating schedules in real time across their websites and mobile platforms, and social media feeds provide additional alerts about cancellations, delays and rebooking options.

Airport officials have urged passengers not to travel to the terminal without first confirming that their flight is still scheduled to operate.

Those who must travel are advised to prepare for extended waits. That includes bringing warm clothing, snacks, medications and chargers for electronic devices, as queues may form both at check in and security if staffing is affected by the weather or if multiple delayed flights depart in close succession.

Parking areas and access roads may also be snow covered and slippery, so extra caution is required when driving or walking around the airport campus.

Travel insurance policies that cover weather related disruption can be valuable in situations like this, potentially reimbursing additional accommodation, meals or alternative transport costs.

Passengers are encouraged to retain receipts and to check their policy terms carefully, as coverage varies widely.

Consumer advocates also remind travelers that airlines have specific obligations in cases of extended delays or cancellations, including providing food, drink and, where necessary, overnight hotel accommodation, although direct compensation for weather events is often excluded under extraordinary circumstances provisions.

FAQ

Q1. Is Aberdeen International Airport currently closed because of the snow?
Aberdeen International Airport has remained technically open, but operations have been repeatedly disrupted by blizzard conditions, with temporary suspensions of take offs and landings while snow is cleared and the runway is treated for ice.

Q2. Which routes are seeing the worst disruption from Aberdeen?
Flights linking Aberdeen with major hubs such as Amsterdam and London have been among the most affected, with multiple cancellations and significant delays as both ends of those routes deal with heavy snow, freezing temperatures and air traffic flow restrictions.

Q3. How long are the current weather warnings expected to last?
Amber warnings for heavy snow in parts of northern and north east Scotland are in force until at least midday on Saturday January 3, with wider yellow warnings for snow and ice extending beyond that and the cold spell forecast to continue into the following week.

Q4. Why does it take so long to clear the runway and restart flights?
Each time heavy snow passes over the airport, ground crews must plough and sweep the runway, apply anti icing treatments and then carry out safety inspections. In very low temperatures and high winds, snow can quickly drift back, forcing additional clearing cycles before aircraft movements can safely resume.

Q5. Are flights from Aberdeen being diverted to other airports?
Some inbound services have been diverted at times when conditions at Aberdeen deteriorated suddenly or when runway braking performance fell below safety thresholds, while outbound flights have occasionally routed via other UK airports when connections or crew duty limitations made direct services impractical.

Q6. What rights do passengers have if their flight is cancelled due to snow?
Under UK and European regulations, airlines must offer a choice between a refund and re routing on a later flight if a service is cancelled, and they have a duty of care to provide meals and, if necessary, hotel accommodation during extended waits, even when the cause is severe weather outside their control.

Q7. Should travelers still go to the airport if their flight shows as delayed?
Passengers are being urged to check directly with their airline shortly before setting out, as statuses can change rapidly from delayed to cancelled. Where possible, travelers should avoid going to the airport until their flight is confirmed as operating, to reduce overcrowding and unnecessary journeys in hazardous road conditions.

Q8. How are connecting flights via Amsterdam and London being handled?
Airlines are attempting to protect key long haul connections by consolidating passengers onto the limited number of services that can operate, but onward journeys via Amsterdam and London remain vulnerable to weather related disruption at those hubs, so rebookings and overnight stays may be required.

Q9. Are offshore workers particularly affected by the disruption?
Yes, Aberdeen is a critical gateway for North Sea energy operations, and delays or cancellations can impact crew change schedules for offshore installations. Companies are monitoring the situation closely and adjusting travel plans where necessary to maintain safe staffing levels on platforms.

Q10. What is the outlook for travel through Aberdeen later in the week?
The broader forecast suggests that very cold conditions and the risk of further snow showers will persist, meaning that some level of disruption could continue even after the most intense blizzard conditions ease. Travelers planning to use Aberdeen in the coming days should stay alert to updates and build extra flexibility into their itineraries.