Tuesday, January 13, 2026- Thousands of tourists have been stranded in Finnish Lapland after severe Arctic cold forced widespread flight cancellations at Kittilä Airport, one of the region’s main gateways for winter travel.
Temperatures plunged well below 35 °C and are forecast to approach 40 °C, making it impossible for ground crews to safely de‑ice aircraft, refuel planes, or conduct essential airport operations. The cancellations stretched into a third consecutive day, disrupting flights to major European cities and leaving many visitors stuck in terminals and resort towns.
The extreme cold has hit during one of Lapland’s busiest tourism periods, with travelers visiting for skiing, Northern Lights excursions, and winter adventures now facing extended stays and logistical headaches. Hotels and guesthouses are overwhelmed, with occupancy rates far beyond capacity as stranded tourists struggle to secure rooms.
Airlines have advised affected passengers to contact them for rebooking and to consider alternative routes, including overland travel via other parts of Finland, but options remain limited amid the weather chaos.
Local officials warn that the cold snap shows how vulnerable Arctic travel infrastructure can be to record low temperatures, with frozen equipment and icy runways making normal operations unsafe.
Meteorological forecasts indicate the deep freeze may persist for several days, meaning disruptions could continue and force more cancellations before flights can safely resume. Meanwhile, travelers are urged to stay updated with airline notifications and plan for possible delays as the region battles one of its harshest cold waves in recent memory.
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