Hundreds of passengers endured a freezing night on parked airplanes at Munich Airport due to heavy snowfall last Thursday. Six flights, involving about 600 passengers, couldn’t take off before the airport’s 1 a.m. curfew, leading to unexpected overnight stays. Despite obtaining a permit to extend operations past its usual midnight closure, all parking spaces were occupied following numerous cancellations of about 100 flights, and the de-icing process was delayed by freezing weather and snow clearance.
Chief Inspector Sven Otto reported that the situation is under investigation but no complaints have been lodged. Several issues, including restricted bus services at night and communication problems, prevented passengers from reaching the terminal. Lufthansa, operating five of the affected flights, including two through its subsidiary Air Dolomiti, admitted delays in bus retrieval due to the late hour.
Airlines attempted to care for passengers on board, though travelers expressed dissatisfaction, citing a lack of food, drinks, and blankets. Søren Thieme, a passenger on a Lufthansa flight, reported the distress and inconvenience faced by those on board. Both Lufthansa and Munich Airport issued apologies and promised compensation, emphasizing their commitment to preventing such incidents in the future.