Heavy rainfall has caused chaos in eastern Austria, creating extreme icy conditions and paralyzing road, rail, and air traffic.
The most critical situation has been reported at Vienna International Airport in Schwechat, which has been forced to suspend all operations until 11:00 AM. Airport authorities stated that low temperatures combined with freezing rain created a thick layer of ice on runways and aircraft maneuvering areas.
“Safe air operations are currently not possible,” airport officials said.
Even after efforts to melt the ice, surfaces refreeze within minutes, making flights unsafe to operate.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official updates until weather conditions improve. Emergency teams are actively responding to accidents caused by slippery roads.
Key point: The icy conditions and heavy rain have caused major disruptions to transport, significantly impacting airport operations and public mobility.
