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Snowstorms across Iceland grounded flights and stranded thousands of holidaymakers who were forced to sleep on the floor at Keflavik Airport for a second day.Image courtesy of Icelandic MP Gisli Olafsson
December 20 (United Press International) — Snowstorms across Iceland grounded flights and forced thousands of holidaymakers to sleep on floors and benches at Keflavik Airport for a second day, with more delays expected due to heavy snow and strong winds.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office has published a travel alert Warnings for hazardous weather and severe conditions at airports were issued across the country on Tuesday.
Thousands of passengers were unable to fly the next day, while others who had flown to Iceland since the weekend were unable to leave the airport and return to their hotels.
The road between Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, and the airport was closed early Tuesday, meaning many airport employees were unable to come to work to help cope with the crowds.
“High winds and dangerous icy road conditions influence transfer from Keflavik International Airport,” the Office of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development said. Emergency services were also “at the airport providing blankets and water to those stranded. ”
Gisli Olafsson, Member of the Icelandic Parliament, tweets More than 20 buses carrying passengers were stuck at the airport for more than 24 to 36 hours before arriving in Reykjavik late Monday, while images of snow falling and passengers sleeping on the airport floor were shown.
Olafsson added: “The Red Cross has opened a number of shelters for people trapped by the weather.”
at the same time, Airports and airlines urge passengers Track delayed and canceled flights on its website.
“We are still experiencing major road closures which are disrupting our operations,” Icelandair announced on its website Tuesday. “Due to adverse weather conditions in Iceland, we have unfortunately been forced to cancel our early morning flight to and from Keflavik on December 20th.”
“We will try to resolve any issues as quickly as possible, but due to the high volume of requests, it is taking longer than usual to rebook flights,” the airline added.
Tom Stirling, of Kennebunk, Maine, was stranded at Keflavik Airport with his wife and two young sons after a connecting flight to Scotland was cancelled.Sterling said they were forced to sleeping on the floor On Monday night, their sick young son slept on a bench.
“I know the weather factor affects things, but I think there’s a lack of preparation and foresight … you shouldn’t let people know the forecast is coming here,” Sterling told NBC. “Today, it’s like everything is cancelled, and nobody’s really doing anything to rectify this.”
“We found a couple of luggage carts and used them as chairs,” said Becky Carson of Missouri. “Never in my life have I appreciated so much all the things that I usually take for granted.”
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