600 passengers stuck overnight on the plane: Munich airport and Lufthansa apologize for "unacceptable situation"
About 600 passengers were stranded overnight at Munich Airport due to a snowstorm that halted flight operations, prompting apologies from the airport authorities and Lufthansa for the situation.
A severe snowstorm at Munich Airport on Friday night led to approximately 600 passengers being stranded on their planes. The airport halted operations just after midnight due to heavy snowfall, leaving travelers who were headed to various destinations—such as Southeast Asia, Venice, Copenhagen, Gdansk, and Graz—waiting in uncomfortable conditions until the morning hours. Many passengers expressed confusion and frustration as to how such a chaotic situation could unfold at Germany's second-largest airport, which is usually known for its efficient operations.
Passengers recounted the uncomfortable experience of being stuck in planes on the tarmac, with many wondering why the airport, which had already canceled around 100 flights throughout Thursday due to weather conditions, did not take proactive measures earlier on Friday. On that day, forecasts had already indicated that the weather would pose significant challenges to flight operations, highlighting a need for better contingency plans in the face of adverse weather events. The incident raised questions about the airport's preparedness and response protocols.
Both Munich Airport and Lufthansa extended apologies to the affected passengers, labeling the situation as "unacceptable" and committing to reviewing their operations to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This incident not only disrupted travel plans for hundreds of passengers but also drew attention to the broader issues of airport management and passenger care during extreme weather events. The ramifications of such disruptions can lead to lasting consequences for airlines and airports, prompting a re-evaluation of how they handle challenging delays caused by natural phenomena.