Heavy snowfall paralyzed Munich Airport, forcing approximately 600 passengers to spend the night aboard immobilized aircraft. The situation primarily affected flights operated by Lufthansa, whose crews could not transport travelers to the terminals due to icy apron conditions. The incident sparked a wave of criticism against airport authorities and airlines, and passengers announce they will fight for compensation for gross negligence in passenger care.

Airport Night Paralysis

Several hundred passengers were stuck in planes on the apron due to the inability to deploy evacuation buses.

Prosecutor's Investigation

German investigators are examining whether a crime of endangering passengers occurred during the snow chaos.

Criticism of Lufthansa

Travelers complain about a lack of care, blankets, and food during the hours-long wait inside the aircraft.

Right to Compensation

Lawyers are analyzing the possibility of seeking financial compensation for violations of passenger rights in extraordinary situations.

A winter onslaught in Bavaria led to an unprecedented paralysis of Germany's second-largest airport. Around 600 passengers, including families with children, were trapped in planes standing on the airport apron for over a dozen hours. The most difficult situation occurred on Lufthansa aircraft, where travelers had to camp in cramped seats with limited access to fresh air. Airport authorities explain that extreme weather conditions prevented the safe deployment of stairs and buses to evacuate people from the aircraft. Criticism fell on the facility's management for lacking adequate preparation for predictable February snowfall. Industry experts describe the event as a "complete system failure," pointing to errors in communication and ground logistics. Passengers report a lack of blankets, insufficient meals, and growing frustration caused by a lack of reliable information from the crews. The Public Prosecutor's Office in Munich has launched a preliminary investigation to determine whether passengers' health was endangered and whether safety procedures were followed. Munich Airport, opened in 1992, is considered one of the most modern airports in Europe, but it regularly faces operational problems during severe frosts due to the specific terrain around Erdinger Moos.Discussions are currently underway regarding a compensation system for affected individuals. According to EU regulations, passengers are entitled to compensation ranging from 250 to 600 euros, provided the carrier cannot prove "extraordinary circumstances." However, lawyers note that while a snowstorm is a weather phenomenon, holding people inside aircraft for hours without the possibility of exit could be considered an operational error by the airline or airport. „Det var en nat fra helvede. Vi sad i en metaldåse uden nogen informationer og følte os som vejrets gidsler.” — Danish passenger600 — passengers spent the night on the airport apron

Mentioned People

  • Mads Nielsen — Danish passenger who described the conditions inside the immobilized Lufthansa aircraft.