Feb 18 • 13:08 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania 15min

Heavy Snow Disrupts Romania's Airport Operations

Severe snowfall has significantly impacted airport operations across Romania, leading to numerous flight cancellations and disruptions in public transport.

Romania has been hit by a severe weather phenomenon characterized by heavy snowfall, particularly affecting central, southern, and eastern regions of the country. Officials report that more than 166,000 households experienced power outages across 10 counties due to the blizzards. The phenomenon has been labeled by the Romanian meteorological agency as one of the most significant weather events of the winter season. Meteorology director Florinela Georgescu stated this unusual meteorological occurrence requires serious attention due to the extent of the snowfall.

At the Bucharest Otopeni Airport, reports indicated that up to 30 cm of snow had fallen, resulting in the cancellation of at least five flights and the diversion of others to different airports. The heavy snow forced the closure of two runways at the Henri Coanda International Airport, further complicating travel plans for passengers. The situation at Otopeni is emblematic of the broader disruptions faced by the country's transportation infrastructure, which has been heavily affected by the snowfall.

Public transport in Bucharest has also been severely affected, with services running late by more than six hours as a result of the snow. The adverse weather conditions led to the closure of major highways and roads, making travel hazardous and contributing to a sense of urgency within the government to manage the situation effectively. Authorities are working to restore normalcy but facing challenges posed by ongoing winter conditions, leading to calls for enhanced preparation for future weather events of similar magnitude.

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