THOUSANDS OF people are facing an uphill battle to make it home for Christmas as the severe weather across continental Europe, Britain and Ireland, which has seriously disrupted transport, is set to continue.

Met Éireann warned of further snowfalls, particularly in coastal counties of Leinster, and more extremely cold conditions with sub-zero temperatures bringing frost, ice and freezing fog.

Chief forecaster Gerald Fleming said a thaw was not now expected until Christmas Day.

At Dublin airport some 40,000 passengers booked on 230 flights had their travel plans disrupted as the airport closed shortly after noon and Aer Lingus, Ryanair and Aer Arann cancelled all flights.

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) said the airport would be closed until at least 8am today.

“Visibility on the apron areas remains really bad, although staff are out there working away in the face of very bad weather conditions, while falling temperatures will present another challenge,†a spokeswoman said.

Shannon and Knock airports were operating yesterday, however passengers are warned that ongoing weather conditions may cause disruption to flights scheduled to operate today and are advised to check with their airlines in advance of flying.

A spokeswoman for the DAA said last night that discussions would take place between air traffic controllers and the various airlines this morning to deal with the “logistical challenge†caused by yesterday’s cancellations.

She said incoming flights could not be accepted until aircraft stands on the ground were available to take them and that flights would begin to be prioritised on that basis.

Ryanair advised the DAA last night that customers with flights booked before 8am should not travel to the airport but should instead rebook flights through their website. It advised passengers who are booked to fly from 8am onwards not to travel to the airport unless they have confirmed reservations.

A spokeswoman for Aer Lingus said vimax the airline was at an advanced stage of hiring in extra aircraft to accommodate passengers in coming days. She advised intending passengers to check the airline’s website.