Hundreds of Passengers Endure Overnight Ordeal on Grounded Aircraft at Munich Airport
In a distressing incident at Munich Airport, around 500 passengers were compelled to spend an entire night inside their grounded planes as a severe snowstorm caused widespread disruptions. The airport had been officially closed, and all staff had departed for the day, leaving travelers stranded without adequate assistance or provisions.
Multiple Flights Affected by Extreme Weather Conditions
According to reports from the German newspaper Bild, the situation unfolded on Thursday, February 19. A Lufthansa flight scheduled to depart from Munich to Copenhagen, Denmark, at 9:30 PM local time faced repeated delays due to the heavy snowfall. This flight, carrying 123 passengers, was ultimately canceled just before midnight, but the aircraft remained parked at a remote stand with no buses available to transport passengers back to the terminal.
In addition to the Copenhagen-bound flight, other Lufthansa planes and two Air Dolomiti flights destined for Austria and Italy were similarly affected. Lufthansa officially acknowledged that approximately 500 passengers were impacted, though the actual number may be higher considering the involvement of multiple aircraft.
Passengers Left Without Food or Drinks as Airport Closure Announced
Passengers recounted being assured every 30 minutes that buses were being organized to retrieve them. However, at 2 AM, a sudden announcement declared that the airport had closed entirely, and airline staff could no longer reach anyone inside the facility. Munich Airport enforces a night flight ban from 12 AM to 5 AM, which contributed to the closure.
With no possibility of other flights landing or taking off, passengers requested permission to disembark and enter the airport building but were denied. They remained confined to the planes alongside airline staff. Since the flights were intended to be short—such as the 90-minute journey to Copenhagen—there were insufficient supplies of food and drinks onboard, exacerbating the discomfort.
"Flights can be canceled at any time, but leaving people on the plane indefinitely is unacceptable," one passenger told Bild, highlighting the frustration and helplessness felt by many.Airline Response and Rebooking Efforts
In a statement to Ekstra Bladet, Lufthansa explained the circumstances: "Due to the weather conditions on February 19th with heavy snowfall at Munich Airport, there were temporary runway closures and massive delays in de-icing procedures. As a result, there were delays and cancellations yesterday. The passengers have since been rebooked onto the next available flight."
This incident underscores the challenges airports and airlines face during extreme weather events, particularly when logistical breakdowns leave passengers in limbo. The lack of contingency plans for such scenarios has raised questions about passenger welfare and emergency protocols in the aviation industry.
