Snow-hit Stansted airport reopens

Stansted airport in Essex in the UK reopened its runway this morning after snowfall had forced its closure earlier.

Stansted airport in Essex in the UK reopened its runway this morning after snowfall had forced its closure earlier.

The major holiday airport warned on its Twitter account of delays and cancellations to flights including those from Ireland this morning as services resume, and that passengers should check flight status with their airline before heading to airports for flights.

At 11.30am Stansted said it was carrying out aircraft de-icing after the snow. "Some residual delays but operations getting back to normal", it added.

Ryanair released a statement at 9am saying "all Ryanair flights from Stansted and Luton this morning will be affected. Passengers should check the status of their flight on the flight info section of Ryanair.com."

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Stansted had closed the runway at 6am today, just as the first flights were due to operate. A Stansted spokesman said: “Northern Essex seems to have got the worst of the snow and we had to shut the airport at 6am."

Aberdeen and Luton were among other airports where the wintry conditions caused delays, while a number of main line rail services and Tube trains were delayed.

Luton airport stated on Twitter it was "not closed", contrary to some reports, "but there are disruptions", it added. "Please confirm flight status with your airline if travelling today."

Today's weather forecast in Ireland was for a cold and frosty start with icy stretches on many roads, according to Met Éireann. "Otherwise dry and bright for the day with just a few showers along northern coasts. Highest temperatures of only 4 or 5 degrees with northwesterly breezes."

It is set to freeze again tonight with lowest temperatures of -1 or -2 degrees, the forecaster said. Cloud will increase later in the night with outbreaks of rain spreading westwards.