Travel management companies and advisors are preparing for significant rebooking activities as Storm Goretti continues to destabilize European transport infrastructure. This “multi-hazard” event has already resulted in a wave of flight cancellations and rail suspensions.
Travel was severely affected across substantial parts of Europe as Storm Goretti brought gale-force winds, heavy snowfall and widespread power outages, which grounded flights and halted rail services.
Flights cancelled
In the Netherlands, cancellations were issued due to returning heavy snowfall. In France, winds exceeding 150 kph (93 mph) were recorded overnight in the north-western Manche region, including a record gust of 213 kph in Barfleur. The extreme weather prompted the state rail operator SNCF to suspend services between Paris and Normandy.
France’s state energy firm EDF reported that two reactors at the Flamanville nuclear plant went offline after a high-voltage line disruption. Meanwhile, wholesale power prices across Western Europe spiked as the infrastructure suffered from the storm. Additionally, roofs were torn off buildings and trees uprooted in several locations.
Train Services disrupted
In the UK, rail services were suspended across parts of the West Midlands due to intense snowfalls. Fresh snow hit the West Midlands, Shropshire, and Staffordshire overnight, while strong winds battered the West Country and Wales. Network Rail has been clearing fallen trees and snow drifts from tracks with teams working around the clock.
The Met Office issued amber weather warnings, stating that Storm Goretti is a “multi-hazard event.” Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong indicated that the most significant impacts would be from heavy snow in Wales and the Midlands, with substantial winds in the far southwest.
“Accumulations of 10–15 cm of snow are likely widely, with 20–30 cm possible in certain areas, particularly on higher grounds in Wales and the Peak District.” — Neil Armstrong
Refunds and Re-routing
The travel industry is advising passengers to be ready for ongoing disruptions. Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, Chief Executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, reported that severe weather had already prompted numerous flight cancellations and train suspensions, with further disruptions anticipated over the weekend.
Travellers are advised to keep an eye on updates from airlines and transport operators, allocate additional time for their journeys, and ensure access to travel insurance and necessary documents. Passengers whose flights have been cancelled are entitled to a refund or re-routing per consumer protection regulations, and airlines must provide necessary assistance even when disruptions stem from severe weather.
As conditions remain unstable, authorities throughout Europe are urging caution as Storm Goretti continues its path across the region.
