Denver International Airport (DIA) in Colorado, US, was forced to cancel approximately 1,400 flights on 13 March as a blizzard hit the airport.
Wind gusts of 80mph to 96mph were reported at the airport, producing white-out conditions on the runways.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The airport shut down all six of its runways amid low visibility on the airfield, but the terminal and concourses remained open.
Denver International Airport CEO Kim Day said in a statement: “Safety is the number one priority of our entire airport community here at DEN.
“At this time, conditions have deteriorated and our major three carriers have all proactively cancelled their afternoon and early evening flights, and our airfield is closed. When visibility improves, crews will work quickly to re-open runways.
“The DEN team is working hard to ensure the comfort of passengers inside the airport. Most concessions are open and airport staff is available to address passenger needs.”
Several passengers were stuck at DIA after they reached at the airport to find their flights had been cancelled.
Due to poor visibility and icy road conditions, the Pena Boulevard freeway was also closed between East 40th Avenue and the airport.
The airport has deployed more than 200 pieces of snow-equipment to clear the runways and Pena Boulevard.
The latest incident of cyclone hitting the airport, which forced a total shutdown of runways, is said to be the fourth such incident since the opening of Denver International Airport in 1995.
