Air Arabia passengers traveling from Warsaw Modlin Airport to Sharjah on flight G9608 faced a 27 hour delay after a powerful snowstorm swept across the region, forcing airport authorities and the airline to suspend operations, reroute travelers and push back departures in the interest of safety.

The disruption, which unfolded over December 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026, turned a routine winter departure into a protracted ordeal that highlighted both the vulnerabilities of air travel to extreme weather and the complex decisions airlines must make to protect passengers and crews.

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Snowstorm Paralyzes Warsaw Modlin Operations

The delay began when a severe snowstorm moved over the Warsaw area on the evening of December 31, 2025, bringing heavy snowfall, blustery winds and rapidly deteriorating visibility to Warsaw Modlin Airport.

The low cost hub, used extensively by budget carriers and holiday travelers, saw ground operations slow to a crawl as runway clearing and de icing teams struggled to keep up with the intensity of the storm.

Airport authorities restricted movements on the apron and runway as plows and sweepers attempted to remove accumulating snow and ice.

With visibility periodically dropping below safe operating minima and taxiways coated in compacted snow, air traffic controllers and airport operations teams were left with little choice but to halt or significantly delay departures and arrivals, including Air Arabia’s G9608 service to Sharjah.

Winter weather is not unusual in Poland, and Modlin is accustomed to operating in snow and sub zero temperatures. However, the timing and ferocity of this storm, coinciding with peak New Year’s traffic, compounded the operational strain.

Crews had to repeatedly de ice aircraft that had been prepared for departure, only for new snow and ice to accumulate, pushing pushback times further into the night and ultimately into the following day.

As the evening progressed, it became clear that the weather related disruptions were not a short term inconvenience but a prolonged event.

Flight G9608, which normally completes the roughly seven hour sector between Warsaw Modlin and Sharjah without significant delay, was held on the ground as conditions remained marginal and runway clearance windows were repeatedly pushed back.

Inside the 27 Hour Delay for Flight G9608

Passengers booked on Air Arabia flight G9608 were expecting an overnight journey linking the Polish capital region with the United Arab Emirates, arriving in Sharjah in time to connect to onward services or reach New Year holiday destinations.

Instead, travelers found themselves facing rolling delays that ultimately stretched to 27 hours from the scheduled departure time.

Initially, departure time estimates were revised in relatively short increments as operational teams hoped for brief improvements in weather and runway availability.

However, as the storm persisted and the backlog of traffic at Modlin grew, it became clear that flight G9608 would not depart on December 31.

The airline formally pushed the operation into the following day, citing the need to prioritize safety amid ongoing runway and taxiway clearance work.

During the delay, passengers reported repeated schedule updates, additional security and boarding checks, and multiple returns to the terminal waiting areas.

While some travelers were offered meal vouchers and assistance, others struggled to secure rest areas and rebook connecting plans, particularly those linking in Sharjah to destinations across the Gulf, South Asia and East Africa.

By the time departure was finally authorized on January 1, 2026, the elapsed time from the original schedule had reached approximately 27 hours.

For many on board, the extended wait meant missed hotel bookings, rescheduled business meetings and lost time with family at the other end of the route.

Yet the decision to delay rather than attempt departure during marginal conditions reflected a clear safety first approach from both airport authorities and the airline.

Rerouting, Rebooking and the Passenger Experience

As the scale of the disruption unfolded, Air Arabia began working to reroute and rebook affected customers where possible.

Some passengers who held flexible itineraries or critical onward connections were offered options on alternative carriers from Warsaw Chopin Airport or other European gateways, subject to availability and the limitations imposed by the winter weather sweeping across parts of the continent.

Others were shifted onto later Air Arabia services via Sharjah once it was clear they would miss planned connections.

This required coordination between ground agents, call centers and the airline’s operations control to align available seats, crew duty time limits and airport slots during a period in which the carrier was already operating a busy holiday schedule.

For travelers remaining with flight G9608, the experience varied depending on individual circumstances. Families with young children and elderly passengers were among those most affected by the long delays, seeking rest areas and additional assistance in the terminal.

Solo travelers and business passengers focused on rebooking hotels, rescheduling meetings and communicating with contacts at their final destinations.

While many passengers expressed frustration at the length of the delay and the challenges of obtaining real time information in crowded terminal zones, others acknowledged that the extreme conditions left the airline and airport with limited room to maneuver.

In such scenarios, communication about changing departure estimates, eligibility for care and compensation and the status of checked baggage becomes as critical to the passenger experience as the eventual takeoff itself.

Safety Protocols and Operational Constraints

The 27 hour delay underscored the strict safety protocols that govern flight operations during winter storms in Europe. Before an aircraft such as the one operating G9608 can depart, several conditions must be met.

The runway surface must be sufficiently cleared and treated to provide adequate braking action, visibility must be above minimum levels for both pilots and air traffic controllers, and de icing procedures must be completed in a way that ensures critical surfaces remain free of ice and snow for the duration of taxi and takeoff.

In heavy snowfall, these conditions can deteriorate quickly, sometimes within minutes of a de icing truck completing work or a plow finishing a runway pass. If ground hold times exceed certain “holdover” limits set by de icing fluid manufacturers and aviation authorities, the process must be repeated, adding further delay.

For flight G9608, these cycles of preparation, reassessment and renewed de icing contributed significantly to the extended delay window.

In addition, airlines must respect crew duty time regulations, which place hard limits on how long pilots and cabin crew can remain on duty before mandatory rest periods.

For a long sector to Sharjah that operates overnight and crosses several time zones, dispatchers must consider not just the scheduled flight time but also taxi, de icing and potential holding times, as well as the turnaround and onward operational needs of the aircraft and crew.

Once it became apparent that the original crew assigned to G9608 would likely exceed their legal duty hours if further delays occurred, Air Arabia’s operations center had to explore options including crew swaps, extended rest and schedule reshuffles.

These behind the scenes constraints, designed to maintain safety margins, often extend delays even after weather conditions begin to improve.

The disruption to flight G9608 came just days after Air Arabia formally launched regular services between Sharjah and Warsaw Modlin, adding the Polish capital region to a growing list of European gateways in its network.

The route is part of a broader strategy to link Central and Eastern Europe with the Gulf using a low cost model, targeting both leisure travelers and members of regional diaspora communities.

For a newly launched route, an early high profile weather disruption presents both challenges and reputational risks. The airline must demonstrate that it can handle exceptional circumstances while still maintaining reasonable service standards and communication.

At the same time, Air Arabia’s operational reliability record across its broader network and its reputation as a leading low cost carrier in the Middle East provide a buffer against the impact of an isolated weather driven incident.

Network wide, the 27 hour delay likely had ripple effects. Aircraft and crew scheduled for subsequent rotations out of Sharjah may have required reassignment or substitution, while crews based in the UAE and Europe faced new duty rosters.

During peak holiday periods, when load factors are high and spare capacity is limited, such knock on effects can be especially challenging for scheduling teams.

Nevertheless, aviation analysts note that compared with technical faults or airspace closures, extreme weather events are often easier to explain to passengers, regulators and industry observers.

The key test lies in how effectively an airline manages disruption recovery, supports affected customers and restores normal schedules in the aftermath of a major storm.

Traveler Rights, Compensation and Practical Advice

For passengers on flight G9608, questions now turn to compensation, refund options and their rights under applicable regulations. Because the flight departed from a European Union member state airport, many travelers will look to EU Regulation 261 for guidance.

However, compensation rules make a crucial distinction between delays caused by an airline’s operational or technical issues and those triggered by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather.

In many cases, airlines are not obliged to pay standardized cash compensation when delays are clearly and primarily due to extreme weather conditions beyond their control.

They are, however, typically required to provide care and assistance proportionate to the length of the delay, including meals, refreshments, communication facilities and, where necessary, hotel accommodation and ground transport to and from lodging.

Specialist passenger rights firms and legal advisers often assess each case individually, considering factors such as the severity of the weather, the timeliness of airport closures, and whether the airline took all reasonable measures to avoid or minimize the disruption.

Some passengers may choose to submit claims to Air Arabia directly or through third party services to clarify what assistance or reimbursement they may be entitled to for expenses incurred during the long wait at Modlin.

Travel experts recommend that passengers facing similar disruptions keep all receipts related to meals, hotels and alternative transport, document communications with the airline, and monitor official travel advisories.

Purchasing travel insurance that covers weather related delays and missed connections can also help offset unexpected costs when winter storms throw itineraries off course.

FAQ

Q1: What exactly happened to Air Arabia flight G9608 from Warsaw Modlin to Sharjah?
Flight G9608, operating between Warsaw Modlin Airport and Sharjah International Airport, was delayed by approximately 27 hours after a severe snowstorm hit the Warsaw region, disrupting runway operations, de icing procedures and overall airport capacity and forcing the airline to postpone departure until conditions were safe.

Q2: When did the delay occur?
The disruption unfolded over the New Year period, beginning on the evening of December 31, 2025, and extending into January 1, 2026, as heavy snow, low visibility and challenging surface conditions at Warsaw Modlin prevented the flight from departing as scheduled.

Q3: Why did the delay last as long as 27 hours?
The length of the delay was the result of several combined factors, including persistent snowfall that repeatedly required runway clearing and de icing, deteriorating visibility, a backlog of air traffic at Modlin and crew duty time limitations that restricted when the flight could legally operate once conditions improved.

Q4: Were passengers rerouted to other flights or airports?
Some passengers, particularly those with critical onward connections or flexible tickets, were reportedly rerouted where possible onto alternative flights or via other hubs, while many remained booked on the rescheduled G9608 departure once weather and operational constraints allowed the aircraft to leave Warsaw Modlin.

Q5: Did Air Arabia cancel the flight at any point?
No, the flight was not canceled outright but was significantly delayed. Instead of terminating the service, Air Arabia postponed departure multiple times until operational and safety conditions, including runway status and crew availability, aligned to permit a much later takeoff.

Q6: Are passengers on G9608 entitled to financial compensation?
Eligibility for financial compensation depends on the interpretation of relevant regulations and whether the delay is classified as being caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather. While airlines may not owe standard cash compensation in clear weather related cases, passengers are generally entitled to care and assistance, and some may still seek individual assessments of their claims.

Q7: What kind of support should delayed passengers expect from the airline?
During prolonged delays, passengers can typically expect the airline to provide meal and refreshment vouchers, access to communication, and in many cases hotel accommodation and ground transport when overnight stays become unavoidable, especially when the delay is as extensive as the 27 hour disruption experienced by G9608.

Q8: How does a snowstorm affect aircraft safety and operations?
Heavy snow and ice can compromise runway braking performance, obscure runway markings and lights, and accumulate on aircraft surfaces, all of which can impact lift and control. Strict protocols require that runways be cleared and aircraft de iced, and that visibility and wind conditions meet defined minima before a flight is allowed to depart, which can lead to extensive delays in intense storms.

Q9: What can travelers do to prepare for possible winter weather delays?
Travelers flying during winter should allow extra time for connections, monitor weather forecasts and airline notifications, consider booking earlier flights in the day, and purchase travel insurance that covers delays and missed connections. Keeping essentials like medications, chargers and a change of clothes in carry on luggage can also ease the impact of an unexpected overnight delay.

Q10: Will this incident affect Air Arabia’s future operations from Warsaw Modlin?
While the 27 hour delay was disruptive and came soon after the launch of the Sharjah Warsaw Modlin route, it was driven primarily by exceptional weather rather than airline specific issues. The carrier is expected to continue developing its presence at Modlin, while reviewing disruption management, passenger communication and contingency planning for future winter seasons.