Birmingham Airport has managed to partially reopen its runway after a night of severe disruption caused by heavy snowfall. Operations were completely suspended on Thursday night as Storm Goretti blanketed the region, leading to significant travel chaos for holidaymakers and other passengers.
Runway Closure and Snow Clearance Efforts
The airport's runway was officially closed at 8.47pm on Thursday, 8 January 2026, as conditions deteriorated. The thick snow continued to fall overnight, forcing the suspension of all flight activity. Airport teams worked through the night and into the early hours of Friday, 9 January to clear the critical infrastructure.
During the closure, staff focused on extensive snow clearance and conducting vital safety checks across the airfield. While runway operations were halted, the airport was able to commence passenger security processing in the terminals, preparing for a potential restart.
Partial Reopening and Passenger Advice
In a positive update on Friday morning, Birmingham Airport (BHX) announced that the runway had reopened on a reduced basis. Airport authorities confirmed that teams are now working to manage the backlog and get delayed passengers away as efficiently as possible.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the airport said: "Our runway has reopened on a reduced basis, and our teams are working to get passengers away as efficiently as possible." The message reiterated that while the airport apologised for the inconvenience caused by Storm Goretti, the safety of colleagues and customers remained the absolute priority.
Ongoing Disruption and Travel Guidance
Despite the reopening, significant disruption is expected to continue throughout the day. The airport has strongly advised all passengers due to travel to check the status of their flight directly with their airline before heading to the airport. This is crucial as schedules are being adjusted and not all services will resume immediately.
The severe weather is part of a wider wave of disruption across the West Midlands, affecting roads, rail, and schools. Birmingham Airport's efforts to restore services highlight the challenges major transport hubs face during extreme winter weather events.
