Chaos for travellers as Lyon airport shuts

After suffering delays throughout the day yesterday, Lyon airport finally closed its doors last night (Saturday) as workers were struggling to keep runways clear of snow and heavy fog engulfed the airport.

With around 40% of flights having already been cancelled, the airport closed to all traffic at around 19:00 last night. Operations have just begun again at Lyon Saint Exupery, with the airport opening its doors at around 11:00 today (Sunday).

In the end, 36 inbound and 47 outbound flights were cancelled, with another 60 being severely delayed since Friday.

Around 800 passengers spent the night at the airport including around 500 Britons returning from their winter ski holidays. Not the most comfortable of sleepovers, many spent the night on camp beds set up in the departures area.

Lyon was not the only airport to be closed due to snow, with Geneva airport also closing for around 12 hours as workers battled through the night to keep the runways clear.

If you are due to travel to or from Lyon today, you are being advised to contact your airline for the latest information.

Pic : Keystone