- Flight Disruptions
- Bucharest snowstorm causes flight cancellations, delays and diversions
Bucharest snowstorm causes flight cancellations, delays and diversions
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Checked by Alice Mariscotti-Wyatt
Last updated on 19 February 2026
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Affected airports
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Affected airlines
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Affected airports
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Affected airlines
What Happened
A snowstorm on 18 February disrupted air travel in Bucharest. Both Henri Coandă and Bucharest Băneasa airports reported cancellations, delays and five diversions to cities including Varna, Sofia, Cluj, Craiova and Athens. Affected services included flights from LOT, TAROM and Turkish Airlines. Runway clearing and aircraft de-icing contributed to additional delays. A red-code warning was in place from around 04:20 to 08:20, followed by an orange alert until 16:00.
Flight Disruption Details
Air travel in Bucharest was disrupted on 18 February 2026 due to a snowstorm affecting the capital and Ilfov County. Authorities issued a red-code warning for heavy snowfall, high winds and blizzard conditions from approximately 04:20 to 08:20 local time, followed by an orange alert until 16:00. Snow accumulations reached around 30–35 cm by 04:30, with reported depths exceeding 50 cm later in the morning.
Operations at both Henri Coandă International Airport and Bucharest Băneasa Aurel Vlaicu International Airport were affected. Several flights were canceled, including LOT’s Warsaw–Bucharest service (643/644), TAROM flights from Chișinău (RO 210) and Suceava (810), and Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul–Bucharest services (1043/1044). In addition, five aircraft were diverted to other airports, including Varna, Sofia, Cluj, Craiova and Athens.
Airport teams deployed 58 snow-removal vehicles to keep runways, taxiways and aprons operational. Aircraft de-icing procedures after boarding added to delays across the schedule. The disruption coincided with wider transport impacts in and around Bucharest during the morning, with emergency services active across the city.
By the afternoon, the combination of melting snow and ongoing accumulation produced slush and standing water in parts of the city. While the most severe alert ended at 08:20, weather advisories remained in effect through 16:00, with continued operational adjustments at the airports as clearing and de-icing continued.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Care and assistance
Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.
Accommodation
If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.
Communication
Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour. No compensation when a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, as this appears to be.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Weather issue
Status
Past disruption
Compensation
Not eligible for compensation
Airlines affected
LOT, TAROM, Turkish Airlines
Airports affected
Henri Coandă International Airport, Bucharest Băneasa Aurel Vlaicu International Airport
Cities affected
Bucharest, Varna, Sofia, Cluj, Craiova, Athens
Countries affected
Romania
Start date
2026-02-18
End date
2026-02-18
Checked by
Alice Mariscotti-Wyatt
Date updated
19 February 2026
What To Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled
If you're traveling to or from the European Union, here's what to do when your flight is unexpectedly scrubbed:
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
