Heavy Snowfall Grounds Dozens of Flights at Brussels Airport

Winter Weather Grips Brussels, Disrupting Air Travel

Brussels Airport (BRU) faced substantial operational challenges on Sunday, February 15, 2026, as heavy snowfall blanketed Belgium and the wider Benelux region. The severe winter weather resulted in the cancellation and delay of dozens of flights, causing widespread disruption for travelers.

The Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) had issued a code-yellow alert for central Belgium, forecasting snow accumulation of two to six centimeters and wind gusts reaching up to 50 km/h. Some regions reportedly saw up to seven centimeters of snow, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 1°C. This fast-moving Arctic front significantly impacted airport operations, particularly during the critical evening departure period.

Operational Impact and Flight Reductions

In response to the deteriorating conditions, Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management organization, requested airlines to reduce scheduled movements at Brussels Airport by as much as 60 percent by early evening. This directive led to numerous cancellations and delays, primarily affecting:

• Short-haul rotations to European hubs
• Long-haul departures to North America and the Gulf

Average departure delays at BRU reportedly surged past 75 minutes, and at least 18 inbound flights were diverted to alternative airports in Liège and Lille. The timing of the snowfall, coinciding with the evening departure 'wave,' stretched the airport's resources, including de-icing trucks, runway sweepers, and operational crews.

Airport Preparedness and Wider European Disruption

Brussels Airport had anticipated the winter weather, having issued a snow alert in advance. Its winter operations teams were prepared to minimize impact through de-icing and snow clearance efforts. The Airport Operations Centre (APOC) had met a day prior to establish a plan based on weather forecasts, aiming to manage the adverse conditions.

The disruption at Brussels Airport was part of a broader pattern of travel chaos across Europe. Snowstorms and, in some areas, labor strikes, led to over 700 flight cancellations and more than 5,000 delays across major European airports on February 15 and 16, 2026. Passengers were advised to monitor their flight status and allow extra time for travel to the airport, as road traffic and public transport were also affected by the wintry conditions.