Freezing rain halts flights across Central Europe

Flights were cancelled and diverted across Central Europe on Tuesday as freezing rain forced the closure of major airports in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Vienna International Airport suspended all take-offs and landings early in the morning after a thick layer of ice repeatedly formed on the runways. Airport staff were unable to keep the surface clear despite multiple efforts. Flights were diverted to other cities while snowploughs worked throughout the day.