Thousands of Tourists Stranded in Lapland as Cold Grounds Flights
Severe Weather Disrupts Travel Plans
Thousands of tourists find themselves stranded in Finland’s Lapland due to extreme cold weather that has grounded flights from Kittila Airport. On Sunday, temperatures plummeted to a staggering -35°C, leading to the cancellation of numerous departures to cities like London, Bristol, Manchester, Paris, and Amsterdam. With forecasts predicting even lower temperatures—down to -39°C—on Monday, the situation appears set to worsen.
Impact on Flights and Airports
– Cancelled Flights:
– All Sunday flights from Kittila Airport were cancelled, starting a domino effect that could carry through the week.
– The very first scheduled flight out of Kittila has already been called off.
– De-Icing Challenges:
– The extreme temperatures pose significant challenges for de-icing aircraft.
– Equipment for maintenance and refuelling is also rendered ineffective as it freezes.
– Moisture Issues:
– Finavia, the airport operator, highlighted that moisture in the air is adding to the complications by creating slippery frost, further delaying operations.
General Weather Conditions
Lapland, spanning parts of northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland, is typically known for its frigid environment. However, Finnish Lapland usually averages winter temperatures around -14°C, with occasional drops to -30°C. The current conditions are extreme even by their standards.
– Nearby Airports:
– Kittila Airport primarily serves tourists visiting ski resorts and hoping to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing Northern Lights.
– Rovaniemi Airport, located further south, is the gateway for those traveling to visit Santa Claus’s famous home. One flight from Rovaniemi also experienced cancellation on Sunday.
Road Hazards and Accidents
The icy weather has rendered the roads particularly dangerous. Fintraffic has warned drivers of hazardous conditions throughout the region. In an incident reported by Yle, a bus carrying Ukrainian passengers veered into a ditch on Sunday morning. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported.
Wider Weather Patterns
The unusual cold snap in Lapland coincides with a severe storm impacting various parts of Northern Europe, leading to travel disruptions across the UK, France, and Germany.
– Incident Reports:
– A man tragically lost his life when a tree fell on his caravan in England.
– In France, approximately 100,000 homes experienced power outages on Saturday.
Conclusion
As thousands of tourists remain stranded in Lapland due to unprecedented cold, the situation underscores the harsh realities of winter travel in this breathtaking yet challenging landscape. With forecasts indicating persistent low temperatures, travelers are advised to stay updated on flight statuses and road conditions. The cold grounds flights and affects transportation infrastructure, but hopefully, conditions will ease in the coming days, allowing customers to return home safely.