Glasgow Airport runway reopens after closure amid snow alert

It comes after an amber warning was issued by the Met Office at short notice covering the city and much of the central belt.

Glasgow Airport runway closed and flights cancelled amid icy conditions and Met Office amber snow warning iStock

Glasgow Airport’s runway was closed and flights cancelled or delayed amid icy conditions on Friday morning.

In a statement, the airport said winter teams had worked though the night to clear the tarmac of “persistent snow and freezing rain”.

It added: “The airfield was subject to sustained and heavy snow for more than three hours and this was cleared, however, ongoing ground temperatures of between -6C and -10C coupled with intermittent rainfall resulted in flash freezing across areas of the runway, taxiways and pathways.”

Following a nearly six-hour closure, the airfield was reopened at around 11.30am on Friday.

The airport’s winter operations team will remain in place and continue to monitor weather conditions.

“While adverse weather conditions can be disruptive and frustrating, the safety of our passengers and people must always come first,” a statement read.

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It comes after an amber alert for snow was issued at short notice covering Glasgow and much of the central belt.

The Met Office issued the unexpected update at 4am on Friday with it coming into force at 5am.

Police Scotland also issued a travel warning across the entire country advising people venturing out to be cautious after snow arrived earlier than originally forecast.

Wintry weather is expected across much of Scotland on Friday with yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in force across a wider area.

Southwest Scotland and southern parts of the Highlands are affected after the warning came into effect from 6am, lasting until 9pm.

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