Dublin Joins Manchester, Belfast, and Cork Airports in Storm Bram Frenzy With Multiple Flight Cancellations and Unprecedented Travel Mayhem!

Published on December 10, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

Storm Bram, which hit Ireland and the UK on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, caused significant disruptions to air travel, particularly at major airports like Dublin, Belfast City, Cork, and Manchester. The severe weather, characterized by gale-force winds and violent gusts of up to 119 km/h, led to widespread flight cancellations, diversions, and delays. The storm’s destructive force left travelers stranded and airports scrambling to manage the impact.

What Happened During Storm Bram?

Storm Bram brought chaotic weather conditions to Ireland and the UK, including dangerously high winds and torrential rain. According to official reports, Dublin Airport, Belfast City Airport, Cork Airport, and Manchester Airport were among the most severely affected by the storm.

At Dublin Airport (DUB), more than 90 flights were either canceled or diverted by the late afternoon, disrupting both inbound and outbound travel. The airport issued official statements confirming 91 cancellations and at least 10 diversions, mainly due to strong winds that exceeded safety limits for landings.

Belfast City Airport (BHD), located in Northern Ireland, was also heavily impacted. An advisory noted “adverse weather conditions” and confirmed at least 21 cancellations (inbound and outbound flights). The storm caused difficulty for pilots attempting to land due to the extreme crosswinds, forcing multiple diversions and cancellations throughout the day.

Cork Airport (ORK) and Shannon Airport (SNN), both in Ireland, were not spared. Cork Airport reported four canceled flights, while Shannon saw two cancellations due to the storm. Even Ireland West Airport (Knock), located in the west of the country, experienced disruptions, with one flight canceled.

Which Airports Were Most Affected?

• Dublin Airport (DUB), Belfast City Airport (BHD), Cork Airport (ORK), and Shannon Airport (SNN) in Ireland were the hardest hit, seeing a combination of cancellations, diversions, and delays.
• Manchester Airport (MAN) in the UK also experienced several cancellations and diversions, particularly on routes connecting to Dublin and Belfast, as high winds made it unsafe for planes to land.

The storm’s impact was felt beyond these airports, with Loganair, a regional carrier, issuing an alert for potential disruption at numerous UK airports. These included Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Inverness, and Liverpool, all of which were affected by Amber and Yellow wind warnings from the UK’s Met Office.

Why Were These Airports Impacted?

The primary cause of the disruptions was the extreme wind conditions associated with Storm Bram. In Ireland, Met Éireann issued widespread Status Orange wind warnings for several counties, including Cork, Kerry, and Waterford. These warnings indicated strong to gale-force southerly winds, with gusts reaching up to 119 km/h in coastal areas. Such conditions posed a significant risk to life, with the possibility of fallen trees, structural damage, and severe travel disruptions. The wind shear and crosswind conditions were extreme enough to make landing unsafe at affected airports, leading to the decision to cancel or divert flights.

In the UK, the Met Office issued Amber Wind Warnings for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, including areas like Antrim and Tyrone, with gusts potentially reaching 145 km/h. This caused widespread delays and cancellations, not only affecting airports but also road and rail services, adding to the overall chaos.

What Were the Impact and Consequences of These Disruptions?

The impact of the storm was far-reaching. At Dublin Airport, travelers faced extensive delays and cancellations, with many flights diverted to other airports such as Shannon and Belfast. The closure of check-in counters and disruptions to baggage handling created a backlog of frustrated passengers.

Similarly, Belfast City Airport saw 21 canceled flights, many of which were destined for the UK or Ireland. The storm’s ferocious winds made it difficult for aircraft to land safely, contributing to the backlog of grounded flights.

At Cork and Shannon Airports, several scheduled flights were grounded, causing ripple effects throughout the day. Manchester Airport also saw several cancellations, particularly on routes to Dublin and Belfast, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated at one of the UK’s busiest hubs.

What Are the Official Weather Warnings and Alerts?

In addition to the operational disruptions at airports, official weather warnings were issued for both Ireland and the UK. Met Éireann, Ireland’s national weather service, issued a Status Yellow Wind Warning for all of Ireland, later upgrading it to Status Orange for coastal areas. These warnings indicated very strong southerly winds and severe gusts, which led to widespread disruption in travel and power services.

Meanwhile, the Met Office in the UK issued Amber and Yellow Wind Warnings for several regions, including Northwest Scotland and Western Northern Ireland. Gusts in these areas reached 80 to 90 mph (129 to 145 km/h), creating hazardous conditions for travel.

What’s the Current Status?

By Wednesday, December 10, 2025, conditions at major airports in both Ireland and the UK have improved significantly. Although the worst of the storm has passed, travelers are still advised to check flight statuses before heading to the airport, as some residual delays from the previous day’s cancellations are expected.

At Dublin Airport, flight operations are gradually returning to normal, although some knock-on delays remain. Belfast City, Cork, and Shannon Airports have resumed their regular schedules, but travelers are encouraged to monitor any updates.

Conclusion

Storm Bram’s severe weather system caused significant disruptions at key airports across Ireland and the UK on December 9, 2025. With over 90 flight cancellations, diversions, and delays, passengers experienced widespread travel chaos. The storm’s destructive winds, reaching up to 145 km/h, were the main cause of the cancellations and diversions. Though conditions have improved on December 10, travelers are urged to stay updated on their flight status as recovery efforts continue at impacted airports.