Dublin airport is operating flights again after all flights were suspended for three and a half hours following fresh snowfall on the runway.
It’s hoped that this will be the last such closure before Christmas and that people wishing to get home for Saturday’s celebrations will be able to do so.
Heavy snow resulted in the cancellation of around 100 flights, affecting 15,000 passengers.
A Ryanair spokesman said it could not see why the airport needed to close again for so long a period, adding that Ryanair believed that the runway could be cleared in less than an hour.
He called on the Government to investigate the closures. Ryanair operates on a very tight schedule, causing a knock-on effect that means that many subsequent flights today will be affected as many planes will not be where they’re supposed to be.
The Dublin Airport Authority said it thought the closure was necessary and it was surprised and disappointed with Ryanair’s comments.
Dublin has been particularly badly hit by the heavy snowfalls. Other Irish airports are fully operational.
Away from the airports, all of the major inter-city routes and local primary routes are being treated and maintained for the severe weather.
Irish Rail has advised passengers travelling by train that there is expected to be heavy demand on Intercity services on today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Christmas Eve). Customers intending to travel on Intercity service should book their travel on www.irishrail.ie if possible.
Tickets will be sold at train stations but customers with bookings will be prioritised.
In Dublin, both the red and green Luas lines are open today and Luas has increased capacity on the Red line that links Tallaght with the Point.
Bus Eireann is operating full services (subject to some curtailments and diversions). Information on services that may be affected is available from www.transport.ie and www.buseireann.ie.
Dublin Bus services are operating but they are advising passengers that due to icy weather, some services have been affected. It is expected that Nitelink services will operate this evening. Further information on Dublin Bus services is available from www.dublinbus.ie or www.transport.ie
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