Snowstorm in Munich Forces 500 Air Passengers to Spend Night on Aircraft

Severe winter weather at Munich Airport led to an extraordinary situation, with approximately 500 passengers remaining aboard their aircraft overnight due to heavy snowfall. The disruption occurred when multiple flights, already fully boarded and prepared for departure on Thursday evening, were canceled as a result of persistent snow and adverse runway conditions.

According to information provided by the airport and airline representatives, the affected flights were grounded after all passengers had boarded, leaving no feasible way for them to return to the terminal. The airport logistics were heavily impacted by the snow, which had caused operational delays and cancellations throughout the day. As a result, over 100 flights were reportedly canceled that Thursday, and the available parking positions at the terminal were fully occupied by stationary aircraft. Additionally, the capacity of shuttle buses used to transport passengers between aircraft and the terminal was significantly reduced due to the challenging weather and operational constraints.

Several international and regional flights were involved in the incident, including long-haul and European routes operated by both Lufthansa and Air Dolomiti. These included flights to destinations such as Singapore, Copenhagen, Danzig, Graz, and Venice. Despite some flights having obtained special authorization to depart after the standard night-flight curfew, deteriorating weather conditions prevented them from taking off.

Passengers and crew were required to remain inside the aircraft overnight on the apron, as neither disembarkation nor transportation back to the terminal could be arranged until the following morning. According to official statements, the situation was compounded by a lack of available buses and insufficient aircraft parking capacity at the terminal, making it impossible to facilitate the safe transfer of travelers during the night.

In the early hours of the next morning, ground operations resumed, and buses were able to transport passengers from the stranded aircraft back to the terminal. Airport and airline representatives expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the incident, stating that passenger safety and operational security remained the highest priorities throughout the disruption.

The snowstorm also led to ongoing delays and cancellations across Munich Airport, impacting not only departing flights but also arrivals and ground logistics. Authorities have indicated that they are reviewing the conditions and response procedures to better manage similar extreme weather events in the future. The incident highlights the vulnerability of major transportation hubs to severe weather and underscores the importance of contingency planning in aviation operations.

As of the latest updates, flights have gradually resumed, although some residual delays continue as airport staff work to clear accumulated snow and restore full operational capacity. Passengers affected by the overnight delay were eventually able to disembark safely and continue their journeys once conditions improved.