Budapest Airport suspends flights, aircraft accident – UPDATE: BUD reopened

Flights have been temporarily suspended at Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport on Tuesday morning due to freezing rain and extreme icing, Hungarian authorities confirmed.

Budapest Airport suspends flights

According to official information, the Budapest Airport stopped both departures and arrivals at around 10:25 a.m. for safety reasons. The operator, Budapest Airport, later confirmed the suspension on its social media channels.

Transport Minister János Lázár said the decision was taken because of dangerous weather conditions, adding that passengers will be continuously informed via the airport’s official platforms.

Heavy snow and ice since early morning

Snowfall and freezing rain have affected the airport area since early Tuesday, prompting the highest level of winter operations. Airport crews are continuously clearing runways, taxiways, and aprons, but conditions remain hazardous.

Regional impact: Vienna and Bratislava also affected

Weather-related disruptions are not limited to Hungary:

• Vienna International Airport has also suspended operations due to severe icing, with flights halted until at least late morning. Incoming flights are being diverted to airports such as Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Venice.
• M. R. Štefánik Airport in Bratislava was closed on Tuesday morning, and Slovak authorities convened an emergency crisis meeting.

Passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines before travelling to the airport, as delays and cancellations are expected across the region.

UPDATE

Aircraft incident reported

Hungarian media reported that an Ethiopian Cargo Boeing 777F reportedly slid on a taxiway due to snow and ice while heading to its parking position. No injuries were reported, and the crew requested towing assistance.

As we wrote earlier, Hungarian authorities may issue travel warnings due to freezing rain.

UPDATE 2

Liszt Ferenc International Airport reopened at 1:00 PM, both runways are operational, and flights are arriving and departing safely. However, due to adverse weather conditions,

traffic has slowed down and some flights may be delayed or canceled in the coming hours, so we ask our passengers for their patience and understanding.

Snow and freezing rain were observed at the airport and in the surrounding area from early morning until early afternoon on Tuesday, January 13. The airport is currently operating at the highest level of snow preparedness. Budapest Airport teams are working hard to keep the runways, taxiways, and aprons clear.

Budapest Airport is providing continuous updates on the current conditions at the airport. Passengers are requested to follow the airport’s website and the airlines’ announcements for the latest information on their flights.

Read also – Hungary weather forecast: freezing rain gives way to milder conditions