Thousands of holidaymakers have found themselves stranded in Finland's Arctic region of Lapland after a severe cold snap forced the cancellation of numerous flights. The intense freeze, with temperatures plunging to -37C (-34.6F), has made it impossible for airlines to operate safely.
Arctic Conditions Halt Airport Operations
The crisis centred on Kittila Airport, a key gateway for tourists visiting Finnish Lapland's ski resorts and hoping to witness the Northern Lights. Officials confirmed that the extreme conditions made critical procedures like de-icing aircraft, refuelling, and routine maintenance extremely difficult and hazardous. The first scheduled flight for the day was cancelled the night before as the deep freeze took hold.
While Finns are accustomed to frosty winters, this year's cold is notably more severe and widespread, affecting large parts of northern, central, and eastern Europe. The Finnish Meteorological Institute predicted temperatures could drop to nearly -40C (-40F), continuing the disruption. Typically, the region sees average winter temperatures of around -14C (6.8F), with occasional dips to -30C (-22F).
Widespread Travel Chaos Across Europe
The travel chaos extended far beyond the airport tarmac. Heavy snowfall, high winds, and icy roads have made local travel in Lapland treacherous. The disruption has a direct impact on British travellers, with cancelled services including flights to London and Manchester, as well as to other European hubs like Paris and Amsterdam.
The severe weather is causing significant problems across the continent. In Germany, rail operator Deutsche Bahn saw long delays and cancellations persist into Sunday after initially shutting all services in the north on Friday due to heavy snow. In North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, authorities took the precaution of closing all schools and switching to online classes because of forecasts for dangerously icy roads.
Baltic States Issue Travel Warnings
Meanwhile, the Baltic nations are also on high alert. Authorities in Estonia and Lithuania urged drivers to postpone all non-essential travel due to expected blizzards. Neighbouring Latvia issued an official snow alert for the western part of the country, highlighting the broad geographical reach of this intense winter weather system.
For tourists caught in the middle of this Arctic ordeal, the dream holiday to see the aurora borealis or hit the slopes has turned into an unexpected and chilly wait, with no immediate sign of the deep freeze relenting.
