DUBLIN — Dublin Airport remained fully operational on Monday despite an Arctic air mass sweeping across Ireland, plunging temperatures well below freezing and triggering yellow weather warnings in multiple counties.
While much of northern and central Europe faced heavy snowfall and widespread flight disruption, only a small number of Dublin departures were cancelled all due to conditions overseas rather than any local operational issues.
Airport authorities said the limited cancellations were directly linked to snow and ice problems at major European hubs, including Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.
Freezing Conditions Grip Ireland
Temperatures nationwide have dipped as low as –4 degrees, with Met Éireann warning of hazardous road conditions, icy footpaths, and freezing fog that could reduce visibility for commuters.
The cold spell is expected to persist into Tuesday morning, with forecasters advising caution for both road users and air travellers.
Despite the severity of the Arctic system, Dublin Airport said its winter preparedness plan has ensured smooth operations throughout the day.
Airport: “We’re Operating as Normal”
Airport spokesperson Graeme McQueen told M10News that the impact on passengers departing from Dublin has been minimal.
“Operations are going really well,” McQueen said. “We’ve only had a couple of cancellations and they’re due to issues at Amsterdam Airport in Schiphol. If you are due to fly on Monday or even into the early hours of Tuesday, keep in close contact with your airline. They’ll have the latest information about your flight.”
McQueen emphasised that staff have been monitoring conditions closely and are prepared for continued sub-zero temperatures.
Snow and Ice Teams on Overnight Standby
Dublin Airport’s specialist winter-response crews including airfield maintenance teams, snowplough operators, and anti-icing units — will remain on duty throughout the night as part of the airport’s cold-weather protocol.
“We’re well used to dealing with weather like this, especially at this time of year,” McQueen said. “The snow and ice teams will be on call all throughout the night. They’ll be making sure that all aprons, taxiways and airfields are completely free of ice and any snow that may land.”
He added that the biggest challenge heading into Tuesday morning will not be runway conditions, but ensuring aircraft themselves are safe to depart.
“The key task overnight and in the early morning is making sure airlines can get their planes de-iced so that flights can operate safely,” he said.
Airlines Prepare for Potential Knock-On Effects
While Dublin Airport is operating normally, airlines warn that delays elsewhere in Europe may have downstream effects on Irish passengers:
- Aircraft arriving from snow-hit regions may face turnaround delays.
- Crew rotations could be impacted by weather disruption at foreign bases.
- Passenger loads on diverted or consolidated flights may change at short notice.
Airport officials say passengers should plan for the possibility of minor schedule changes, even if domestic weather remains manageable.
Travel Advice for Passengers
Dublin Airport is advising passengers to:
- Monitor airline updates regularly
- Allow extra time for road travel due to icy conditions
- Prepare for potential delays on early-morning flights
- Dress appropriately for freezing temperatures, especially if walking between terminals and transport hubs
Taxi operators and public transport services have also warned of longer-than-usual journey times.
Cold Spell Likely to Continue
Met Éireann forecasts indicate that the Arctic air mass will linger into midweek, with no significant rise in temperatures expected until later in the week.
Additional warnings may be issued if freezing fog intensifies or if wind conditions introduce wind-chill concerns.
Local authorities around the country have already deployed gritting trucks to major roads, while some rural areas in the west and midlands have reported icy patches on secondary routes.
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