Major UK airlines have issued fresh warnings to passengers, alerting them to potential flight delays and disruption this weekend as severe winter weather continues to grip the nation.
Fresh Warnings for Snow, Wind and Ice
The Met Office has extended its severe weather alerts, with an amber warning for snow now in place for parts of Scotland. Further warnings for rain, wind, and ice are also active, primarily affecting northern regions of the UK, and are set to remain from today through to Monday.
This follows the chaos caused by Storm Goretti earlier this week, which brought several inches of snow and winds gusting up to 99mph, grounding flights at multiple airports. Forecasters now predict that some areas, particularly the Scottish Highlands, could see an additional 20-30cm (12 inches) of snow on Sunday.
Airlines Brace for Further Disruption
Both Ryanair and Jet2 have proactively contacted travellers about the risk to schedules. Jet2 stated it aims to operate flights as close to schedule as possible, but acknowledged that deterioration in the weather could cause problems.
The airline advised passengers to check in as normal but be prepared for potential waits. "We will, where possible, board all flights for an on-time departure, however, please be prepared for a longer than normal wait either in the terminal or onboard the aircraft to depart," a Jet2 spokesperson said.
Similarly, Ryanair highlighted potential disruption to and from the UK on Saturday, January 10, specifically due to de-icing procedures. The budget carrier urged all passengers to monitor its app for live updates and confirmed that affected travellers would be notified directly.
Wider Travel Impact Across Europe
The travel turmoil is not confined to the UK. The recent cold snap and Storm Goretti have also severely impacted mainland Europe.
- Heavy snow and strong winds have hit France and Germany.
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has cancelled over 3,200 flights since January 2 due to persistent snowy conditions in the Netherlands.
- Schiphol Airport warned that "due to persistent winter weather, flights may be delayed this weekend," and noted reduced train services to and from the airport.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Rebekah Hicks explained the incoming system marks a shift from the recent cold spell but will bring its own hazards. "Low pressure will drive milder air in from the west and where this interacts with the cold air, we’ll see notable snow accumulations," she said.
She also warned of a risk of freezing rain, which can lead to instant ice formation on surfaces, creating extremely hazardous conditions. The combination of heavy rain and melting snow further raises the threat of flooding in some areas.
Passengers planning to travel this weekend are strongly advised to check the latest forecasts and updates from their airline before heading to the airport.
