Munich Airport is open on Tuesday from 12 p.m interruption due to weather resumed operations. This was announced by a spokesman. Due to a forecast of freezing rain, there had been no take-offs and landings since operations began at 6 a.m., as the airport had already announced on Monday evening.
Only a few flights – restrictions also on Wednesday
However, only 100 flights should take place until operations end at 11 p.m., an airport spokesman told BR. According to a press release on Monday, 770 flights were actually planned.
The airport spokesman also expects a reduced flight schedule for Wednesday. The airlines would have to look at where their crews were currently and bring their plans together, it was said. It is not yet possible to say how long the restrictions will last.
Hard work for the airport winter service
Around 150 winter service employees have been on duty since the early hours of the morning, clearing ice from runways and aircraft wings. To do this, they use chemical de-icing agents on the runways in combination with granules. The northern part of the airport in particular was badly affected by freezing rain, said the airport spokesman. The winter service had to go to great lengths to remove a thick layer of ice. The decision to temporarily stop operations due to the forecast freezing rain was necessary for safety reasons.
Lufthansa offers cancellations – travelers are still stuck
Lufthansa offers its flight customers the opportunity to cancel tickets they have already booked to or from Munich free of charge up to the flight date of Saturday, December 9th.
According to the airport spokesman, hundreds of travelers were still stranded at Munich Airport on Tuesday. They would be provided with food and drink. Camp beds are also available.
There is still a risk of ice – another operational stop is unclear
Heavy snowfall in large parts of Bavaria had already severely affected airport operations over the weekend. On Monday, 550 of 850 planned flights were canceled. The German Weather Service (DWD) expects danger from freezing rain and slippery conditions in the coming nights, especially in the south and east of Bavaria. According to the spokesman, it is difficult to assess in advance whether there could be another temporary stop to flight operations in Munich.
Munich is the second largest German airport and an important hub for international air traffic. International passengers in particular were stranded, some of whom did not have a visa to enter the country, meaning they could not leave the transit area and had to spend the night at the airport.
According to Munich Airport, the Christmas and winter market between the terminals will remain closed until Friday.