140 flights cancelled in Paris due to snow: details and warnings
Paris experienced widespread disruptions to air traffic on Wednesday, with authorities announcing the cancellation of approximately 140 flights at the city's two main airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly . This preemptive and necessary measure was taken due to a wave of severe weather and heavy snowfall affecting northern and western France, prompting the activation of emergency plans to ensure passenger safety and air traffic flow.
Details of cancellations and statements from officials
According to statements from French transport officials, including remarks from Philippe Tabaro, these cancellations were not entirely unexpected, but rather had been anticipated since yesterday based on weather warnings. Airlines were asked to reduce their flight schedules to alleviate pressure on runways requiring continuous de-icing. This is standard protocol followed by the French Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) when significant snowfall is forecast, to prevent chaos and aircraft congestion in the air or on the runways.
Weather conditions: A rare phenomenon and climate challenges
The French meteorological service, Météo-France, described the phenomenon as rare given the timing and current weather conditions, noting that the combination of low temperatures and high humidity led to the formation of ice and snow. The service explained that the impact was not limited to Paris, but extended to large areas in the north and west of the country, prompting several regions to be placed on orange alert for slippery conditions and reduced visibility.
Operational and logistical impacts
Major European airports like Charles de Gaulle are vital international hubs, and any disruption there casts a shadow over the global aviation network. Snow significantly slows ground operations, as aircraft require de-icing before takeoff—a meticulous and time-consuming process for each plane, thus reducing the airport's hourly capacity. Furthermore, clearing snow from runways necessitates intermittent runway closures, justifying the cancellation of some flights to avoid cumulative delays that could last for days.
Tips for travelers and the effects of ground transportation
The impact of this snowstorm isn't limited to the weather; authorities have warned of significant restrictions that may be imposed on roads and public transportation leading to airports. Officials urged travelers to:
- Check their flight status via the official airline apps before heading to the airport.
- Expect longer travel times to reach the airport due to slow traffic on the highways in the Île-de-France region.
- Exercise extreme caution and follow the safety instructions issued by the local authorities.
It is worth noting that such weather events, despite their beauty, pose a major economic and logistical challenge to the transport sector in Europe, which calls for high-level coordination between meteorological agencies and civil aviation authorities to ensure that the storm passes with the least possible losses.
