'Havoc' Continues In Europe As Snow Snarls Travel

There are "travelers" (a word that doesn't quite apply, as you'll see) who are about to spend a third night camped out in London's Heathrow airport because brutal winter weather across much of Europe continues to disrupt air travel.

From London, NPR's Philip Reeves says "this havoc is expected to continue for a while" and that "other parts of Europe are also being badly hit." More flights are being canceled in Paris and Frankfurt:

The Guardian warns that "transport chaos may continue until Christmas as snow returns to U.K."

It says that airport authorities said:

"The scale of clearing tonnes of snow and ice from runways and plane stands at Heathrow was such that it would not be completed before Wednesday morning. Until then, no more than a third of flights would operate, 'and passengers should anticipate further delays and cancellations in the following days – and potentially beyond Christmas Day,' an airport statement warned."

The BBC reports that forecasters are warning "of more snow and ice in parts of the U.K. overnight."

And the BBC says "departures from Brussels airport were to be cancelled until Wednesday due to a lack of de-icing liquid."

Philip will have more later today on All Things Considered. Click here to find an NPR station that broadcasts or streams the show.