Global General

Thousands stranded at Paris airport on Christmas Eve

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-24 18:50

PARIS -- After fresh snowfalls hit the north and east of France, over 2,000 passengers had to spend their night till Christmas Eve on Friday at the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, one of the country's major transmit hub.

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"Traffic is heavily disrupted in Paris-Charles de Gaulle this morning with delayed and canceled flights. Check your flight status before going to the airport," the Paris Airport company posted the reminder on its website.

According to French Civil Aviation Authorities (DGAC), half of the flights at the airport were required to be canceled until 1:00 pm (1200 GMT) Friday due to freezing weather.

Some 2,000 passengers stranded at the airport were angry but helpless, the France 24 television reported, citing official explanation that the airport has not enough de-ice liquid for planes. Many unlucky travellers may spend their Christmas Eve at the cold and not-fully equipped waiting hall.

Meteo France, the national weather agency, expected the strong wind, snow and frost condition to continue for 11 departments in north and east of France, while some five departments were put under orange alert for expected flood caused by thawing snow and rising water level.