WARSAW, Poland - December 21, 2009 - Snowstorms and subfreezing temperatures have battered Europe, killing 29 people in Poland alone and wreaking havoc on air, train and car travelers from the Nordics to Italy on the last weekend before Christmas.
France's civil aviation authority ordered the cancellation of 40% of flights out of Paris' Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports Sunday through mid-afternoon.
The authority later said it was asking airlines flying out of Charles de Gaulle to cancel 20% of flights planned Monday morning because of forecasts of intermittent snowfall.
Belgium was also badly hit, while travelers at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport faced delays and cancellations. In western Germany, Duesseldorf airport was closed because of heavy snowfall, with flights canceled or rerouted.
Flights at Manchester Airport, Britain's busiest outside the London area, resumed after its only runway was briefly closed for snow clearance.
In Brussels, passengers lined up for several hours in an effort to rebook flights.
"There's been no information, no people to ask, no nothing," said Monica Estaban, a 21-year-old student returning home to Barcelona for Christmas. "I can't wait to get out of here. I'll take whatever flight I can."
France's civil aviation authority ordered the cancellation of 40% of flights out of Paris' Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports Sunday through mid-afternoon.
The authority later said it was asking airlines flying out of Charles de Gaulle to cancel 20% of flights planned Monday morning because of forecasts of intermittent snowfall.
Belgium was also badly hit, while travelers at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport faced delays and cancellations. In western Germany, Duesseldorf airport was closed because of heavy snowfall, with flights canceled or rerouted.
Flights at Manchester Airport, Britain's busiest outside the London area, resumed after its only runway was briefly closed for snow clearance.
In Brussels, passengers lined up for several hours in an effort to rebook flights.
"There's been no information, no people to ask, no nothing," said Monica Estaban, a 21-year-old student returning home to Barcelona for Christmas. "I can't wait to get out of here. I'll take whatever flight I can."