Around 500 passengers found themselves involuntarily stranded overnight in planes at Munich Airport after their flights scheduled for Thursday evening were canceled due to heavy snowfall. This situation arose after all passengers had boarded and the aircraft were ready for departure, as confirmed by a Lufthansa spokesperson. The snowy conditions swept across Munich, leading to significant travel disruptions throughout the day, affecting one hundred flights in total.

Due to a lack of buses and parking space at the terminal, the passengers could not return to the terminal and were forced to remain in the aircraft overnight. The airport's statement highlighted that ongoing snowfall had caused delays and cancellations throughout Thursday, creating a challenging environment for travelers. Additionally, while some flights did receive special permits to operate past the usual night flying restrictions, many aircraft that had been readied for takeoff ultimately remained grounded due to the inclement weather.

This incident underscores the impact of winter weather on air travel, particularly in a major hub like Munich. With hundreds of passengers affected, this situation not only raises concerns about passenger safety and comfort but also about operational protocols during severe weather. The airport management and airlines will likely need to review their contingency plans to prevent similar occurrences in the future.