Friday, January 24, 2025
Cyclone Éowyn has unleashed a travel horror across Ireland, turning Dublin Airport into a no-fly zone and bringing the nation’s travel network to its knees. With hundreds of flight cancellations, severe delays, and record-breaking winds of 183kph battering the country, travel plans for thousands of passengers have been thrown into chaos. The storm, described as the most severe weather event in decades, has not only paralyzed Dublin Airport but also disrupted operations at Cork and Knock airports, leaving Ireland grappling with unprecedented travel chaos.
Cyclone Éowyn has plunged Ireland into chaos, with record-breaking winds of up to 183kph (114mph) causing severe travel disruptions. Dublin Airport, Ireland’s busiest air hub, has been particularly hard hit, with 120 departures and 110 arrivals canceled so far. The storm, described as the most severe weather event in decades, has also disrupted operations at Cork and Knock airports, leaving passengers across Ireland stranded as flights, public transport, and roads remain paralyzed.
Dublin Airport, which serves an average of 94,794 passengers daily, has effectively become a no-fly zone during Cyclone Éowyn. All flights scheduled before 9 a.m. were canceled, with ongoing severe delays and further cancellations throughout the day. Airlines such as Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Emerald Airlines have suspended operations due to unsafe conditions at the airfield, leaving thousands of travelers stranded.
Passengers are being urged to stay in contact with their airlines as decisions about resuming operations depend on evolving weather conditions. Despite some hopes of later flights taking off, safety restrictions on handling aircraft and high winds have made recovery efforts slow and uncertain. Only about 500 passengers passed through Dublin’s two terminals during the morning, a stark contrast to the usual bustling daily traffic.
Cyclone Éowyn’s impact is not limited to Dublin Airport. Smaller regional airports across Ireland have also faced significant cancellations:
While smaller in scale, these airports are vital for regional connectivity, and the disruptions have left travelers across the country grappling with uncertainty.
Cyclone Éowyn delivered record-breaking winds of 183kph, recorded at Mace Head in Galway, marking it as the most severe weather event in decades. Galway, one of the hardest-hit areas, has experienced widespread power outages, leaving 560,000 homes and businesses without electricity.
Red weather warnings have been issued for all 26 counties, with coastal areas bearing the brunt of the storm. Public transport, including buses and trains, has been suspended nationwide, and schools have been closed to ensure public safety.
Passengers planning to travel through Dublin Airport or other Irish airports are urged to stay updated with their airlines for real-time flight updates. Many cancellations were announced in advance, allowing some travelers to rebook for later flights or the following day. However, ongoing winds and safety concerns mean further delays and cancellations are likely.
For those traveling to the airport, caution is essential as road conditions remain hazardous. Public transport is largely unavailable, further complicating travel plans.
As Cyclone Éowyn continues to batter Ireland, it is unclear when full operations at Dublin Airport and other transportation hubs will resume. With nearly 95,000 daily passengers affected at Dublin alone, the scale of the disruption has been enormous.
This storm has exposed Ireland’s vulnerability to extreme weather, with recovery efforts likely to take days. Authorities and airlines are working to ensure passenger safety as they navigate one of the most challenging weather events in decades.
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