The weather in Europe this winter has once again served as a reminder of who is in control. On 20 February 2026, an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Vienna had to divert halfway through the flight due to the bad weather that prevented it from landing in Vienna.
Etihad Flight To Vienna Diverted To Munich After Heavy Snow
Flight EY153, which was flown by Etihad Airways, took off from Zayed International Airport on time but was unable to land at Vienna International Airport. Why? Because of serious weather conditions, the plane bypassed Munich International Airport. According to Gulf News, heavy snowfall throughout Vienna led to massive flight delays, cancelation and rerouting.
What Etihad Said Of The Diversion
Etihad affirmed the diversion by a passenger update and said they could not safely land in Vienna due to weather conditions. The airline has been apologetic over the inconvenience and promised passengers that it was putting ground teams to help stranded travellers.
The Abu Dhabi to Vienna route passengers were instructed to monitor their booking status closely and to change their contacts so that they could get updates in real time.
Also Affected Return Flight To Abu Dhabi
The inbound flight was just the beginning of the disruption. The same-day Vienna-Abu Dhabi EY154 flight will be delayed back home. Vienna Airport posted another weather alert on its premises, advising passengers against the challenge of ongoing operations caused by heavy snow. As the conditions continued to affect runway operations, the airport reported that some flights were already delayed, cancelled or diverted.
Airport officials encouraged passengers whose flights were cancelled to avoid travelling to the airport, but instead communicate with their airlines directly to book and get updated.
The Frequency Of Weather Diversions In Winter
Snowfall does not make everything slow; it affects visibility on the runways, efficiency in braking, and aircraft sequencing. Even in cases where the planes are technically able to land, the margins of safety become reduced within a short period.
In winter, due to infrastructure and snow-handling, Munich can be used as an alternative airport on Vienna-bound flights in case of winter disruption.
Also Read: Etihad Airways Is Offering Up To 35% Off On Global Flights For A Limited Period
What Passengers Should Do Next
Patience will be a major factor if you are commuting between Abu Dhabi and Vienna in the coming days. Check flight status often, do not go to the airport without making sure, and be contactable.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikipedia/Richard Vandervord
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.