Heavy Snowfall Forces 500 Passengers to Remain Overnight on Aircraft at Munich Airport

Severe winter weather caused significant disruptions at Munich Airport, leaving approximately 500 passengers to spend the night onboard grounded planes. The incident occurred after intense snowfall on Thursday led to the cancellation of numerous flights. Many travelers had already boarded their aircraft and were prepared for departure when the decision was made to cancel the flights due to deteriorating weather conditions.

According to airport officials, the persistent snowfall throughout the day resulted in extensive delays and the eventual cancellation of around 100 flights. While some late-night departures received special permissions to operate beyond the usual curfew, worsening weather conditions prevented several aircraft from taking off, despite being fully boarded and cleared for departure.

The affected flights included three Lufthansa services to Singapore, Copenhagen, and Gdansk, as well as two Air Dolomiti flights destined for Graz and Venice. The passengers and crew on these flights were unable to return to the terminal after boarding due to a combination of limited bus availability and a lack of parking spaces for aircraft at the terminal gates. With all parking positions occupied and transport resources stretched thin, both passengers and crew were required to remain on the planes overnight on the apron.

Airport management explained that operational constraints made it impossible to provide immediate transportation back to the terminal. The bus fleet was already deployed elsewhere on the airfield, and all available aircraft stands at the terminal were full, preventing further movements. As a result, travelers were left to wait in the aircraft until the early morning hours, when buses finally became available to return them to the terminal facilities.

The snowfall that began early on Thursday persisted throughout the day, impacting airport schedules and operations. The airport's snow removal teams worked continuously to keep runways and taxiways clear, but the volume of snow and ongoing accumulation made normal operations increasingly challenging. Authorities had to prioritize safety, leading to the cancellation of flights even after boarding had commenced.

Munich Airport is subject to strict night flight regulations, generally prohibiting takeoffs and landings between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. On this occasion, some exemptions were granted to accommodate delayed flights, but the worsening conditions ultimately made departures impossible. The situation was further complicated by the logistical challenge of moving hundreds of passengers safely back to the terminal under adverse weather conditions and limited ground transport resources.

Airport representatives expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to travelers, noting that the situation arose from a combination of unforeseen weather events and operational limitations. Efforts were made to provide support to those affected, and normal ground transport services resumed as soon as conditions allowed on Friday morning.

The incident highlights the impact that severe winter weather can have on airport operations, especially when it disrupts both flight schedules and ground logistics. Airport authorities have indicated that they will review operational procedures to identify potential improvements and prevent similar situations in the future.