Birmingham, England, Jan 8, 2026, 22:09 GMT
- Birmingham Airport said it suspended runway operations late Thursday due to heavy snow.
- The Met Office issued a red wind warning for parts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and an amber snow warning for Wales and the Midlands overnight.
- The airport said its Air‑Rail Link shuttle to Birmingham International station will run on one shuttle until February 2026 for planned maintenance.
Birmingham Airport suspended runway operations on Thursday evening after heavy snow hit central England, raising the prospect of flight delays for passengers travelling through the Midlands. In an update at 2045 GMT, it told travellers to contact their airline for the latest information. https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/important-updates-operations-suspended-8th-jan/
The disruption comes as Storm Goretti pushes across Britain during a cold spell that has already stretched transport services. The Met Office issued a red warning for wind in parts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and an amber warning — its second-highest level — for heavy snow in Wales, the Midlands and parts of northern England into Friday. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2026/red-warning-for-wind-issued-as-storm-goretti-approaches
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong called Goretti a “multi-hazard event” and said snow on the storm’s northern edge could bring 10-15 cm widely, with 20-30 cm possible on higher ground. RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson urged drivers to avoid overnight trips, saying the amber snow warnings “must be heeded”. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2026/storm-goretti-to-bring-very-strong-winds-heavy-snowfall-and-rain
In a post on X cited by ITV News, Birmingham Airport said: “Due to heavy snow runway operations have been suspended,” and told passengers to check flight status with their carrier. It said safety was its “number one priority” and apologised for the disruption. https://www.itv.com/news/central/2026-01-08/birmingham-airport-runway-operations-suspended-as-storm-goretti-takes-hold
Even if flights resume quickly, passengers may hit another pinch point on the ground. Birmingham Airport said the Air‑Rail Link — the automated shuttle between the terminal and Birmingham International train station — is operating on one shuttle until February 2026 for planned maintenance, with departures about every six to eight minutes from 0330 to 0030 and “extended waits” at peak times; it also pointed to walking routes as an alternative. 1
Getting to the terminal by road may also take longer overnight. National Highways warned that routes around Birmingham towards Leicester and Nottingham could see “particularly difficult driving conditions” and considerable delays during a snow alert running from 1800 on Thursday to 0900 on Friday. https://www.itv.com/news/2026-01-08/storm-goretti-uk-bracing-for-record-breaking-weather-bomb
Rail operators issued their own cautions as the worst weather moved in. Northern said it had issued “Do Not Travel” warnings on some routes around Sheffield and Manchester, while Jersey and Guernsey airports planned to close early on Thursday evening because of dangerous wind levels, according to The Independent. https://www.the-independent.com/travel/news-and-advice/storm-goretti-travel-rail-road-air-ferry-b2896612.html
Forecast details still matter: a small shift in track or temperature can change whether precipitation falls as snow or sleet, and how fast crews clear runways and access roads. But if drifting snow and ice linger, the knock-on effects can pile up into Friday morning even after the heaviest band passes.
Birmingham Airport had earlier urged travellers to allow extra time for journeys to and from the site as adverse weather approached. https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/important-updates-adverse-weather-expected/
