Delays and cancellations were also reported at a number of other airports including London City, Heathrow, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle.
This was the worst disruption to British aviation since the ash crisis in April, which grounded thousands of flights across the whole of Europe.
Already bad weather elsewhere in Europe led to a number of continental airports, including Frankfurt and Geneva also being shut.
This led to thousands more passengers being stranded abroad. They are, however, entitled to claims meals and, if necessary, hotel accommodation from their airline under EU consumer protection laws.
With more bad weather forecast, it is feared that the chaos could continue for several days. Even once the skies clear, further disruption is likely with the snow having left crew and aircraft marooned abroad.
The worst problems were at Gatwick, where around 600 flights were cancelled after the runway was blanketed by snow
"We have had six inches and there is another six on the way," a spokesman said. "We are throwing everything at it, but as fast as the snow clears, more falls behind us.”
Despite deploying 80 people and 50 vehicles, the airport was unable to clear the runway.
A statement on airport’s website said: "Due to the current weather conditions, departing and arriving flights at Gatwick will be severely disrupted.
Flights Grounded At Gatwick Airport
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