Friday, November 29, 2024 Seoul battles its worst snowstorm in over 50 years, grounding flights, disrupting travel, and leaving thousands stranded amid record-breaking snowfall. Seoul is grappling with its most severe snowstorm in over five decades, causing widespread disruptions, including a near standstill at Incheon International Airport. This unprecedented weather event has led to the cancellation of more than 100 flights and significant delays for major airlines such as Air France, Delta, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, and Japan Airlines.
Here’s an in-depth look at the ongoing situation, its impact, and tips for navigating the challenges. The city is witnessing the heaviest snowfall in 52 years, with over 28 cm (11 inches) of snow blanketing large swathes of South Korea as of November 27, 2024. The storm has not only disrupted air travel but also paralyzed daily life and infrastructure.
On November 27, 110 flights were grounded, while 592 others experienced delays, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at Incheon International Airport. Poor visibility and snow-covered runways heightened safety concerns, forcing authorities to halt operations. The following day, November 28, saw 15% of scheduled flights cancelled and 14% delayed, affecting carriers like Singapore Airlines, which faced disruptions to flights SQ601, SQ605, SQ607, and SQ611 between Seoul and Singapore.
Other airlines, including Oman Air, Asiana Airlines, AirAsia, Shanghai Airlines, KLM, WestJet, .
