Munich Airport Apologizes After 600 Passengers Stranded Overnight on Planes Due to Snow
Munich, February 24 – Around 600 passengers spent an unexpected night aboard six grounded airplanes at Munich Airport last Thursday, as heavy snowfall and a series of operational challenges prevented their departures. The incident, which saw 100 more passengers affected than initially reported, has prompted apologies from airport management and Lufthansa, along with promises of compensation and a thorough review of procedures.
Unforeseen Circumstances Lead to Overnight Stranding
The ordeal began on Thursday night when severe, wet snowfall led to unusually long de-icing times and temporary closures of runways. According to a spokesperson for Flughafen München GmbH (FMG), six aircraft – five from the Lufthansa Group and one from Air Arabia – were unable to take off. Despite a special flight permit from the Ministry of Transport allowing flights until 1:00 AM, the time limit proved insufficient for these planes, which had to return to their parking positions.
“It was a difficult and barely comprehensible situation for the passengers,” an airport spokesperson acknowledged, extending a formal apology to those affected. The spokesperson explained that due to numerous flight cancellations earlier in the day, the returning aircraft could only be parked at remote stands, not at the terminal. Furthermore, bus services to transport passengers to the terminal were severely limited, partly due to the late hour and “deficiencies in communication.”
Airlines Assure Passenger Well-being Amidst Chaos
Despite the inconvenience, FMG assured that passenger safety was never compromised. The airlines reportedly provided the best possible care, continuously informing guests and supplying them with available onboard provisions. Lufthansa confirmed that “all aircraft were heated and had sufficient power.”
However, both the airport and Lufthansa recognized that the incident fell short of their service standards. “Together with our partners at Munich Airport, we are doing everything we can to ensure that such mistakes do not happen again,” Lufthansa stated. The airline has also offered compensation to the affected passengers, initiating contact with them last Friday.
Political Scrutiny and Calls for Immediate Action
The incident has drawn the attention of Albert Füracker (CSU), Bavaria’s Finance Minister and Chairman of the airport’s supervisory board. He described the situation as “simply unacceptable” and declared, “Such a thing must not happen.” Füracker has demanded a prompt and detailed report from the airport, in coordination with its partners, to clarify the sequence of events and decisions, including communication protocols. He also expects “an immediate strategy with concrete measures that clearly prevent such a recurrence.” The Free State of Bavaria holds a 51 percent stake in Flughafen München GmbH, with the federal government and the city of Munich holding the remaining shares.
Pilot Union Criticizes Crisis Management
The pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) has called on Lufthansa management to implement measures to prevent similar chaos in the future, alleging that flight crews were largely left to manage the difficult situation on their own. “The chaos that arose reveals significant weaknesses in crisis management,” the VC added, emphasizing the need for improved support for crews during such events.
Legal Review Initiated by Public Prosecutor
The Landshut public prosecutor’s office is currently reviewing the incident to determine whether an investigation should be launched or criminal proceedings initiated. This legal scrutiny underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the overnight stranding of passengers.
The incident highlights the vulnerabilities of air travel during extreme weather conditions and the critical importance of robust crisis management and communication systems at major transportation hubs.
Source: https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/zwangs-nacht-im-flugzeug-was-verantwortliche-in-muenchen-sagen,VC3fa4S
