Thousands of frustrated air travellers will today make last-minute efforts to complete their travel plans for Christmas amid some of the most challenging weather conditions in half a century.
Dublin airport is fully operational today, although Aer Lingus and Ryanair have both cancelled flights due to disruption caused by closures yesterday and problems in other European airports.
About 40,000 passengers were left stranded yesterday when heavy show showers grounded flights at Dublin airport for much of the day.
Ryanair and Aer Lingus said only passengers with confirmed reservations for travel today can be accommodated on flights.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said eight of the carrier's 90 flights from Dublin have been cancelled. He added the airline has run out of de-icing fluid at Cork and Shannon airports.
The airline will not operate flights tomorrow. There were angry scenes at the Ryanair desk in Dublin airport this morning with frustrated passengers chanting “Ryanair, do your job”.
Ryanair has also cancelled a number of flights from Charleroi and from Düsseldorf Weeze, which is closed.
Mr O'Leary denied the airline was failing to provide adequate information. He said all the available information was being provided on the airline’s website. He apologised to those passengers who would not get home for Christmas. He said the airline could not operate on Christmas Day because no airports were open.
Aer Lingus said it has cancelled 15 flights today and may have to cancel more later today.
A spokesman for the airline said it had sent hundreds of thousands of text messages on cancelled flights and was making information available on its website. “Certainly, people are getting information, there is no doubt about that.”
Siobhán Moore of the Dublin Airport Authority admitted intending departing passengers were becoming very stressed and emotional as they realised they were unlikely to get a flight before Christmas.
She said the authority was working with the airlines to try and find hotel accommodation for those stuck in Dublin tonight. Ms Moore said about 800 people slept in the airport overnight.
“Passengers intending to travel today are advised to contact their airline or airline’s website before setting out for the airport.” She said flights on Stephen’s Day would resume at 6am.
Temperatures of minus 10 degrees were recorded at the airport last night, a record low. Ireland West Knock, Cork and Shannon airports are all operational.
Irish Ferries said it will operate an extra sailing from Dublin to Holyhead, at 2.30pm, and another back to Dublin at 5.15pm. The vessel has capacity for 750 passengers and 200 cars.
AA Roadwatch has warned road conditions are treacherous, especially around the capital, Leinster and along commuter routes.
A large number of minor collisions have been reported in Dublin due to frozen snow and ice.
There are two collisions on M4 near junction 6 Celbridge and the eastbound lanes are currently closed while the westbound lanes are restricted.
AA Roadwatch is also reporting extremely icy conditions on the M4 northbound between junction 6 and junction 5.
The Army is assisting health care staff and patients to travel to medical facilities around the city and is also helping Dublin City Council with snow clearing.
Gardaí said roads were in a treacherous condition across the country and advised motorists who must travel to organise a car pool if possible and only drive during daylight hours. Gardaí also said the coming thaw did not mean roads would be safe.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has warned that the expected thaw on Stephen’s Day will not result in an immediate improvement in driving conditions.
Noel Brett, RSA chief executive, said: “There is a danger that road users and particularly motorists will be lulled into a false sense of security as conditions improve after the recent freezing conditions.
“Roads right across the country will remain extremely dangerous with lingering patches of snow and ice posing serious risks for all road users.”
Barry Kenny of Iarnród Éireann said most services were operating, with only some minor delays. He said there were still some seats on later trains and advised intending passengers to book these online.
Delays of up to 40 minutes are being experienced on the Dublin to Belfast line, while there is a delay of about an hour in both directions on the Dublin-Cork line.
In Dublin, extra Luas trams will operate today, and the Dart system is expected to be operating with slight delays.
Andrew McAlinden for Bus Éireann said services were running as normal, with only some minor delays. Services today will operate until about 9pm to 9.30pm, subject to road and weather conditions.
Services will operate to and from Limerick, Belfast, Cork, Galway, Rosslare Harbour, Ballina, Sligo, Waterford, Letterkenny, Donegal, Clonmel and Derry. All services will operate via the main towns en route.
The company will also operate a limited inter-city service to and from Dublin (Busáras) and Dublin airport to main destinations around the island tomorrow.
Met Éireann. has also issued a severe weather warning, with widespread ice and lying snow persisting today where surfaces are untreated.
“Freezing fog will be slow to clear parts of the midlands especially and visibility will reduce below 100 metres at times,” it added. Lowest temperatures will plummet to minus 15 degrees tonight.
The freezing conditions are set to continue through Christmas Day, in places, but otherwise the day will be dry and bright.
Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow will start to develop along the west coast early on St Stephen's morning. It may snow heavily for a time, but by late on Sunday the snow will have turned back to rain. Finally, on Sunday night, temperatures will stay above freezing.
Highest temperatures on Monday will reach 5 to 7 degrees, with similar values throughout the week as it continues to thaw.
The thaw will lead to water pooling on the roads and driving will continue to be difficult for some days into next week.