Many flights cancelled at Vienna airport as Austria sees extreme snowfall – Etihad flight diverted

Severe winter weather caused widespread disruption at Vienna International Airport on 20 February 2026, forcing multiple delays, cancellations and diversions as Austria experienced heavy snowfall.

Among the affected services was Etihad Airways flight EY153 from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to Vienna. The aircraft was unable to land due to adverse weather and was diverted to Munich International Airport instead. Consequently, the return service EY154 from Vienna to Abu Dhabi was delayed.

Vienna Airport issued advisories warning passengers of significant operational disruptions caused by heavy snowfall, noting that numerous flights had been delayed, cancelled or rerouted. Travellers were urged to check flight statuses directly with their airlines and, in the case of cancellations, avoid coming to the airport.

Etihad apologised for the inconvenience and advised passengers travelling between Abu Dhabi and Vienna to monitor their booking status and ensure contact details were updated to receive timely notifications.

The severe snowfall led to what local reports described as “total chaos” at Vienna Airport, highlighting the broader impact of the extreme weather conditions across Austria’s aviation network.