Weather-related flight delays and cancellations: when airlines are responsible
Weather is the single largest cause of flight delays and cancellations worldwide. But while safety is always the top priority, not every weather delay is truly unavoidable or outside of an airline's control. Some carriers may use weather as a blanket excuse to avoid compensating passengers, even when delays could have been prevented.
If you understand which disruptions are really caused by extraordinary weather events and which are simply mishandled by airlines, you can make better decisions and even get compensation.
Key takeaways
- Airlines are expected to plan for predictable weather. If a carrier runs out of de-icing fluid, lacks Cat III landing equipment at a fog-prone airport, or fails to allocate buffer time around a forecasted storm, they may still owe you compensation.
- If other airlines were operating normally while yours cancelled, that is a strong indicator the disruption was not truly extraordinary, and your claim is worth pursuing.
- Even when extraordinary circumstances do apply, airlines must still offer you a full refund or rebooking, plus meals and accommodation if you are stranded overnight.
- UK passengers have up to 6 years to file a compensation claim. EU passengers typically have 2–3 years, depending on the country.
Are All Weather Delays the Airline’s Fault?
It’s a common myth that airlines are never responsible for weather-related delays or cancellations. While it’s true that no one can control the weather, not all weather disruptions qualify as "extraordinary circumstances" under EU or UK regulations.
Commercial aircraft are built to withstand adverse weather, and pilots are extensively trained to handle a variety of meteorological challenges. In fact, many airports, especially in regions with frequent snow or fog, are well-equipped with de-icing systems, snow ploughs, and advanced navigation tools to handle these regular occurrences.
So, while snow in Edinburgh or fog in London Heathrow can be disruptive, airlines and airports in these areas are expected to manage these conditions without major operational breakdowns.
Likely extraordinary (no compensation) | Likely NOT extraordinary |
Severe storm with lightning in flight path | Forecasted snowfall airline failed to plan for |
Visibility below safe minimums for all aircraft | Fog at a fog-prone airport without Cat III ILS aircraft |
Wind gusts exceeding aircraft limits | Wind within forecast range, airline lacked crew |
Extreme ice conditions beyond de-icing capacity | Airline ran out of de-icing fluid |
How Thunderstorms Disrupt Air Travel
Thunderstorms can cause serious safety issues for flight operations, particularly due to windshear, hail, lightning, icing, and sudden downbursts known as microbursts. These risks are especially dangerous during take-off and landing, which is why storm activity often leads to delays or cancellations.
That said, not every thunderstorm is disruptive enough to justify grounding flights. Airlines use advanced weather forecasting systems, build extra time into their schedules, and work closely with air traffic control to reroute flights or wait out short-lived storms. These strategies help reduce delays, but when a storm forms suddenly or becomes more severe than expected, disruptions are sometimes unavoidable.
A prime example is Heathrow Airport, which frequently experiences weather-related delays, including those caused by thunderstorms. Lightning activity alone has forced temporary ground stops and flight diversions, even when the rest of the day’s schedule was running smoothly.
When Airlines Are (and Aren’t) Liable for Thunderstorm Disruptions
Airlines are only exempt from paying compensation for thunderstorm-related disruptions when the conditions are considered “extraordinary”, meaning they pose serious, unavoidable safety threats.
To qualify as extraordinary, a storm must produce hazards like strong windshear, large hail, or lightning strikes directly in the aircraft’s flight path, making it unsafe to continue operations. In such cases, the disruption is clearly outside of the airline’s control.
Take Storm Jocelyn in February 2024 as an example. The storm brought widespread high winds and heavy rain across the UK, forcing numerous flight delays and diversions, particularly at Heathrow due to dangerous flying conditions. These circumstances would likely qualify as extraordinary under EU and UK air passenger rights regulations.
However, if a storm is less severe or if the weather was forecasted and the airline failed to plan accordingly (for example, by not allocating buffer time or failing to reposition aircraft) then the disruption might still be considered avoidable. In those cases, passengers may be eligible for compensation.
Wondering Is It Safe to Fly Through a Storm? <— Check an in-depth look by our expert team.
How Snow and Ice Disrupt Flights
Snow and ice are among the most common winter threats to flight operations, affecting both aircraft and airport infrastructure. Accumulated snow can make runways unsafe, while freezing temperatures may cause ice to form on the aircraft itself. If not properly removed, ice can also add significant weight or disrupt airflow over the wings, increasing the risk of a stall.
Responsibility for managing winter weather is shared. Airlines are responsible for de-icing their aircraft, while airports are in charge of clearing and treating runways. In areas where snow is expected, airports are typically well-equipped with snowploughs, de-icing stations, and trained personnel. When things run smoothly, flights can continue with minimal delays.
However, problems arise when winter weather hits airports that are less prepared. Snowfall in regions where winter conditions are rare can easily overwhelm ground operations, resulting in major disruptions. In these cases, delays and cancellations are usually deemed outside of the airline’s control.
When Airlines Are Responsible for Snow and Ice Delays
Even in snowy regions, airlines can still be held accountable if disruptions occur due to poor planning or lack of preparation. For example, if an airline runs out of de-icing fluid or doesn’t have enough trained staff to operate during a snowstorm, particularly in an area where winter weather is expected, the airline may be liable for delays.
Light icing is generally manageable with modern equipment and procedures. But during more intense winter storms, even well-prepared airports and airlines can be pushed to their limits. In those situations, airlines are usually not responsible, as the disruption is considered an “extraordinary circumstance” under EU and UK law.
A recent example occurred in January 2025 when an Arctic blast brought snow, ice, and freezing rain across northern Europe. Euronews reported that major hubs like Frankfurt cancelled over 120 flights, Munich faced runway limitations, and Amsterdam Schiphol grounded around 70 flights. In the UK, airports including Manchester and Liverpool even closed their runways temporarily, leading to widespread travel chaos.
How Fog Disrupts Flights
Fog is one of the most common weather-related causes of delays, especially during take-off and landing. While today’s aircraft are equipped with advanced navigational systems, dense fog can still drastically reduce visibility on the runway and slow down nearly all airport operations.
When visibility drops, airports implement Low Visibility Procedures (LVPs), which restrict the movement of aircraft on the ground and delay essential services like refuelling, taxiing, and baggage handling. This can quickly lead to a domino effect of delayed departures and arrivals across multiple airlines.
Some airports are better prepared than others. In fog-prone areas like London, Heathrow and Gatwick are equipped with specialised systems to help manage operations in low visibility. Airlines flying these routes often use aircraft fitted with Category III Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), which enable landings even in dense fog. However, when fog becomes particularly severe, even these systems may not be enough to maintain normal operations.
In December 2024, for example, dense fog across southern England caused widespread flight disruptions at major UK airports like Heathrow and Gatwick. Skynews reported that visibility dropped to around 100 metres, prompting NATS to implement temporary air traffic restrictions to ensure safety. This led to numerous flights to be cancelled or delayed until the fog cleared enough to allow for operations to carry on safely.
When Airlines Are Responsible for Fog-Related Delays
Fog is only considered an “extraordinary circumstance” when visibility falls below 2,000 feet and persists despite the use of advanced landing systems like Category III ILS. If a disruption occurs at a fog-prone airport, and the airline has not scheduled adequate turnaround time, failed to equip its aircraft accordingly, or didn’t plan for foreseeable weather patterns, then it may still be responsible for compensating their passengers.
In short, airlines operating at airports that frequently experience fog are expected to plan for it. If they don’t, and passengers are delayed or stranded as a result, compensation could still be owed.
How Wind Affects Flight Operations
High winds, especially crosswinds during take-off and landing, are a serious operational challenge. Unlike some weather phenomena, there’s no single wind speed that triggers cancellations. Instead, the decision depends on several factors including:
- Wind direction,
- Gust intensity,
- Runway length,
- Aircraft type, and
- Whether other conditions like rain or ice are present.
Extreme wind events like microbursts or strong gusts can be particularly hazardous, sometimes exceeding what aircraft or airport infrastructure can safely handle. When this happens, flights may need to be cancelled or diverted for safety reasons.
When Airlines Are (and Aren’t) Responsible for Wind Disruptions
Wind-related cancellations may be classified as extraordinary circumstances when the conditions are genuinely unsafe. For example, if wind gusts exceed the limits of the aircraft or the runway, and safety protocols require cancellations, the airline isn’t likely to be held responsible.
However, if the wind conditions are borderline or forecasted well in advance, and the airline cancels for internal reasons (like lack of available crew, unprepared ground operations, or fleet limitations), they may still be liable for compensation.
During Storm Floris in August 2025, news sources reported an easyJet flight from London Luton to Inverness descended as low as 2,000 feet before being unable to land due to strong winds. They ultimately completed an 800‑mile round trip back to Luton. The storm also caused widespread disruption across the UK, including 134 flight cancellations.
What You Can Do If Weather Disrupts Your Flight
When your flight is delayed or cancelled, your first move should be to ask the airline for a written explanation of the cause. This can be vital evidence if you decide to file a compensation claim later.
Next, do your own research:
- Use apps like FlightAware to verify the presence of weather disruptions.
- Take screenshots of weather conditions and be sure to include timestamps.
- Observe operations at the airport. If other airlines are flying in and out as usual, your airline’s explanation may not hold up.
Keep records of what airline staff say, what you witness on the tarmac, and any weather data. This can all support your claim.
Rights and Compensation in the EU & UK
Passengers in the EU and UK are protected by EU261 and UK261. These passenger rights regulations entitle them to compensation for delays and cancellations, provided certain conditions are met:
- You arrived and checked in on time
- Your flight was within or departing from the EU/UK, or operated by an EU/UK airline
- You were informed of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure
- You arrived at your final destination more than 3 hours late
- The disruption occurred within the past 6 years
If a cancellation is caused by an extraordinary circumstance, airlines must still offer a rebooking or a full refund, along with food, drinks, and accommodation when needed. But compensation (up to £520/€600) only applies if the airline is found responsible.
Route distance | Compensation |
Under 1,500km | £220 (€250) |
1,500km–3,500km | £350 (€400) |
Over 3,500km (delay 3–4 hours) | £260 (€300) |
Over 3,500km (delay 4+ hours) | £520 (€600) |
Also, if your rebooked flight due to a weather-related cancellation arrives more than 3 hours late, you might still be eligible for delay compensation.
Let AirAdvisor Help
At AirAdvisor, we’ve helped over 620,000 customers since 2017. Whether your flight was delayed or cancelled due to weather or you’ve already been denied compensation, our legal team can help you get what you’re owed.
Was your claim rejected?We work on a no-win, no-fee basis and can handle your claim from start to finish, even if you've already submitted it. Enter your flight details to find out how much compensation you could receive.Start your claim today!
Tools to Help You Out
See our list of FREE tools in the links below:
- Flight Delay Checker
- Free Flight Delay Compensation Calculator
- Free Flight Delay Compensation Letter Template
Resources & Additional Reading
Some extra resources to help you better understand flight delay compensation:
- Delayed Flight Compensation Claim Deadlines
- Should I Accept Cash or Vouchers for a Delayed Flight?
- Business Trip Flight Delay Guide
Other Common Flight Delay Causes
Read more about the most popular flight delay causes:
- Flight Delay due to Diversion
- Flight Delay due to Aircraft Maintenance
- Flight Delay due to Extraordinary Circumstances
Author:
Joanna Teljeur
Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead
Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.
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