A sudden winter onslaught in Bavaria led to an unprecedented crisis at Munich Airport. Approximately 600 passengers were trapped on board planes overnight due to a paralysis of ground logistics. In the face of mounting criticism regarding disastrous communication and lack of support for travelers, a special working group involving the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior has been established to examine the airport's and carriers' crisis management procedures.

Nighttime Logistics Paralysis

Around 600 people spent 8 to 10 hours on planes on the airport apron due to a lack of ground personnel and uncleared taxiways.

Prosecutor's Office Intervention

German investigators are examining the case for possible negligence of duties by the airport operator and airlines.

Compensation for Passengers

Lufthansa announced compensation for the lack of care, even though the delay itself resulted from weather-related causes.

Communication Failures

Travelers complained about misinformation and a lack of basic provisions, such as blankets or warm drinks, during the hours-long wait.

Nighttime snowfall in Munich led to a dramatic situation on the airport apron, where hundreds of travelers remained on the aircraft for about 7-8 hours without the possibility of exiting to the terminal. Although the planes landed safely, a confluence of unfortunate circumstances prevented their unloading. The main cause was the inability to clear taxiways on time and a critical shortage of personnel, particularly drivers for airport buses who were supposed to transport passengers to the terminal buildings. Munich Airport, opened in 1992 after being relocated from Riem, is a key hub for Lufthansa. Although the Bavaria region is known for harsh winters, the current ground handling system proved unprepared for the combination of extreme weather and staffing shortages.Passengers reported extreme exhaustion, lack of access to fresh food, and contradictory information provided by the crews. Industry experts describe this event as a "complete breakdown" of crisis management. Lufthansa and airport authorities issued official apologies, but this did not prevent the institution from being investigated by the Munich prosecutor's office. Investigators are examining whether there was a breach of duties regarding passenger safety and care. 10 godzin — the amount of time some passengers waited for evacuationThis situation has sparked a broad debate on passenger rights in the European Union. Lawyers emphasize that while force majeure, such as a snowstorm, exempts airlines from paying fixed compensation for delays, it does not relieve them of the obligation to provide meals, drinks, and accommodation. An audit of operational procedures has already been announced to prevent a similar crisis from recurring in the future. Passengers trapped on board (estimates): 22 February: 100, 23 February morning: 600, 23 February evening: 0