Airport closures impact thousands of Britons as dozens of flights forced to divert

Icy weather blocks European airports, forcing dozens of flights to divert.

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Airport closures impact thousands of Britons as dozens of flights forced to divert

On 13 January 2026, widespread icing on European runways forced closures at several major airports, most notably London's Heathrow and Gatwick. According to GB News reports, dozens of scheduled flights were diverted to alternative hubs such as Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh, leaving thousands of Britons stranded and causing widespread travel chaos. Airline operators said disruptions would persist until the storm front moved northwards, potentially lasting until the middle of the week. The incident also led to a surge in ground staff overtime and temporary overbooking at temporary airports. UK authorities urged passengers to check flight status and consider flexible travel plans, highlighting the importance of weather‑impacted operations in future airport scheduling.

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airport closuresflight diversionsEuropean airportsHeathrowGatwickicy conditions