Extreme winter temperatures have caused widespread flight cancellations at Kittilä Airport, northern Finland, with dozens of departures called off as Arctic cold grips the region. On Sunday, all scheduled flights were cancelled, including 15 international and eight domestic services, as persistent sub-35 °C lows prevented aircraft de-icing and safe operations.
Stranded passengers, including tourists from the UK, described the ordeal as “nightmarish” as they tried to rearrange travel plans while waiting for alternative connections. Many are considering travel via other airports, such as Rovaniemi, to reach home.
Local authorities and service providers have begun helping with accommodations and onward transport, and operators are working to rebook affected travellers. The severe cold is forecast to continue, potentially leading to further disruptions.
Source: Äärimmäinen pakkanen lamautti Kittilän lentokentän (Yle.fi)