A second major UK airport has been forced to suspend all operations this morning as heavy snowfall from Storm Goretti continues to cause severe travel disruption across the country.
Runway Closure and Passenger Safety
East Midlands Airport, a key operating base for airlines including Jet2.com, Ryanair and TUI Airways, announced the temporary closure of its sole runway early on Friday, 9 January 2026. The decision was made to allow teams to clear significant accumulations of snow from the asphalt surface.
In an official statement, the airport, located just inside Leicestershire, emphasised that "the safety of our passengers is top priority." The statement continued, "Our runway is temporarily closed due to heavy snow, as our teams work hard to clear it as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience during this time."
Passengers due to travel were advised to check directly with their airline for the latest flight information and to take extra care on roads and footpaths around the airport site.
Widespread Travel Chaos Across the UK
The airport's closure follows the suspension of operations at Birmingham Airport, where numerous arrivals and departures faced delays and cancellations on Thursday. The disruption at East Midlands is expected to affect numerous services, including flights to destinations such as Alicante and Prague.
The travel chaos extends far beyond aviation. National Rail has warned that services across England, Wales, and Scotland may be affected until the end of Friday. In a significant move, all trains in Cornwall were suspended from 6pm on Thursday, while routes in Devon, including Exeter to Okehampton and Barnstaple, were also halted due to forecast high winds.
Storm Goretti's Ferocious Impact
Storm Goretti, named by French forecaster Meteo France, has been described by the UK Met Office as a "multi-hazard event." It lashed the nation with wintry showers overnight, particularly targeting Wales and the Midlands, and is predicted to bring up to 30cm of snow to some parts.
The storm's power was starkly demonstrated on Thursday when a wind speed of 99mph was recorded at St Mary's Airport on the Isles of Scilly, setting a new record for the location. This came after the Met Office issued a rare red warning for "dangerous, stormy" winds in the South West.
The severe weather has led to widespread power cuts, with over 50,000 properties left without power in the South West on Thursday evening. A further 9,000 were affected in the West Midlands and around 2,000 in Wales, according to the National Grid.
With weather warnings for snow, wind, rain, and ice remaining in force across the UK, authorities are urging the public to prepare for ongoing disruption and potentially dangerous travelling conditions throughout the day.
