Many Europe Airports Still Closed as Storm Rages

A major winter storm in the UK and Europe is continuing to disrupt air travel today, with multiple airports closing for the day and many airlines suspending or modifying operations.

In Scotland, Glasgow Airport reports that it will remain closed for the rest of the day. Edinburgh Airport says that it will close from 6 p.m. local time this evening, although Lufthansa, Jet2, Qatar Airways, Brussels Airlines, Etihad Airways and Loganair are planning to run full operations in advance of that closure. Both Glasgow and Edinburgh are advising customers not to travel to the airport today.

Dublin Airport reports that airlines will suspend operations from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. local time today, with Aer Lingus and Ryanair planning to resume flights Saturday morning. It is “unlikely” that there will be any flights tomorrow, the airport said.

In London, Heathrow Airport says that it is working with airlines to consolidate flight schedules in order to provide more certainty regarding departing flights. Heathrow Express is operating a reduced service every half hour between Paddington and Heathrow, while Heathrow Connect services are suspended for today. Gatwick and Stansted Airports are both reporting flight cancellations and delays today, and are advising customers to contact their airlines.

Manchester Airport is also reporting a number of flight cancellations and delays.

Travel Waivers

American Airlines is allowing customers flying through London’s Gatwick and Heathrow airports through March 4 to rebook through March 21 between the same city pair in the same cabin (or pay the difference).

On Delta, travelers set to fly through March 2 through Amsterdam, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and the UK can rebook through March 9, with the new ticket to be reissued on or before March 7. Customers scheduled to fly through Paris Orly March 1 can rebook through March 6, with the new ticket to be reissued on or before that date.

United Airlines is waiving the change fee and any difference in fare for customers scheduled to fly through March 2, with rebooked travel to take place through March 5 between the same city pair in the same cabin.

British Airways warns that it is expecting adverse weather conditions through Friday. As a result, it has introduced more flexible rebooking options for customers on shot-haul flights to or from London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports. Customers who are scheduled to travel through those airports through Friday can rebook through March 21, subject to availability. The airline is reducing its flight schedule for Tuesday, and warns that it is likely it will have to proactively cancel some services and re-book customers on alternative flights. Travelers on cancelled flights can claim a full refund if they no longer wish to travel. Flight schedules for the rest of the week are still under review.

Customers on Ryanair can check the status of their flight here.

Travelers on Aer Lingus can check the status of their flight here. Guests who were booked to travel Wednesday can rebook on the next available flight, free of charge. Guests who have bookings to travel through March 2 can postpone their flight free of charge, with rebooked travel to take place within seven days of their original travel date.

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