Approximately 600 airline passengers were stranded overnight on parked planes at Munich Airport last Thursday due to heavy snowfall that prevented flights from taking off. The severe weather and resulting operational challenges caused the airport to implement a 1 a.m. curfew, after which six flights were unable to depart, leading to passengers remaining onboard throughout the night.
The affected flights included five operated by Lufthansa Group and one by Air Arabia. Due to the high volume of cancellations—around 100 flights were canceled that day—and the curfew, the airport was at full capacity and could not accommodate additional planes at the gates. Furthermore, limited bus services were available to transport passengers from aircraft to the terminal because of the late hour and communication difficulties.
Temperatures overnight dropped to approximately 30 degrees Fahrenheit (around -1 degree Celsius), creating a cold and uncomfortable environment for those aboard the stationary planes. Several passengers reported a lack of basic provisions such as food, drink, and blankets during the extended delay. One passenger on a Lufthansa flight to Copenhagen described feeling trapped, noting that requests to move into the terminal were denied and that bus drivers were no longer available.
Munich Airport, ranked as Europe’s tenth busiest, typically closes by midnight but had received special permission to operate until 1 a.m. in an effort to manage flight operations amid the snowfall. Despite these efforts, runway closures and lengthy de-icing procedures disrupted schedules and contributed to significant delays.
Airport authorities stated that the airlines provided the best possible care under the challenging circumstances but acknowledged the incident did not meet their usual standards. The airport issued an apology to the affected passengers, reiterating that the safety and comfort of travelers remain their primary concern.
Police in Upper Bavaria North have prepared a report about the incident, which is expected to be submitted to the public prosecutor. As of now, no formal complaints have been filed by the passengers involved.
Lufthansa and Air Arabia have yet to respond publicly to inquiries regarding the situation. The incident highlights the complex logistical challenges airports and airlines face during extreme weather events, especially when operating close to curfew times.
Airport officials continue to review the circumstances to identify measures to better manage similar situations in the future.
