Around 600 passengers spent a freezing night trapped on six grounded flights at Munich Airport due to heavy snowfall. The incident occurred last Thursday when bad weather prevented takeoffs before the airport's curfew, and staffing shortages left no way to move them to the terminal. Airlines and the airport have apologized and promised compensation.
Munich Airport, Europe's 10th-busiest hub, faced severe disruptions last Thursday from heavy snow that led to about 100 flight cancellations. Six flights carrying roughly 600 passengers could not depart before the 1 a.m. curfew, extended from the usual midnight. Runways were periodically closed for snow clearance, and long lines formed for de-icing planes, with temperatures dropping to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
With all terminal gates occupied by other canceled flights, the planes had to park on the apron. Bus services were unavailable due to the late hour and communication issues, stranding passengers on board for hours. It took additional time before buses arrived to transport them.
Five of the flights were operated by Lufthansa Group, including two by its subsidiary Air Dolomiti, while one belonged to Air Arabia. Passengers reported harsh conditions. Søren Thieme, on a Lufthansa flight to Copenhagen, told Ekstra Bladet: "There was no food or drink for us. There were no blankets for us either."
Thieme said they asked to enter the airport but were told it was forbidden, as all bus drivers had gone home. "We're simply trapped here, along with the staff, too," he added.
A Lufthansa spokesperson stated that crews kept passengers informed and provided available catering, with aircraft heated and powered. The airline apologized and will offer compensation. Munich Airport also expressed regret, saying the incident did not meet their standards for passenger safety and satisfaction.
Airport police have prepared a report for the public prosecutor, though no passenger complaints have been filed yet. The event underscores challenges in managing winter weather at major European airports, where curfews and staffing can complicate responses to disruptions.
