Thunderstorm forces temporary closure of Vienna Airport; passengers from Zadar stranded

Vienna Airport, also known as Schwechat, temporarily halted all operations on Friday evening due to severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds. The suspension, which lasted between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, was implemented as a safety precaution.

During the storm, passengers on a flight arriving from Zadar were unable to disembark from their aircraft even after landing. Airport spokesperson Peter Kleemann confirmed to the Austrian daily "Kronen Zeitung" that the closure was a standard procedure when a thunderstorm is detected within a five-kilometer radius of the airport.

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Due to the formation of a thunderstorm near the airport, temporary operational restrictions had to be introduced for safety reasons.

This international regulation, known as a "closure," mandates the cessation of all activities on the tarmac. During such periods, neither passengers nor staff are permitted on the platform to prevent the risk of lightning strikes. Consequently, operations such as disembarking, baggage handling, and aircraft servicing are temporarily suspended.

Kleemann stated that operations resumed within 20 to 30 minutes after the storm subsided, allowing the stranded passengers from Zadar to continue their journey. The "Kronen Zeitung" also reported significant rainfall in Vienna and its surroundings, with some areas receiving up to 48 liters per square meter, causing localized flooding, including damage to the Albertina museum.

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All operations and all activities were restarted after 20 to 30 minutes.