Take-offs and landings are now possible again, but the aircraft have to be de-iced at great expense. There are delays. The weather service advises not to be outdoors.
It was relatively quiet on the streets at first, but the icy winter weather at Munich Airport messed up the flight schedule quite a bit: Due to the risk of ice from freezing rain, planes were temporarily unable to take off and land on Wednesday. Around 150 flights were initially canceled and 26 diverted, a spokesman for the airport told the German Press Agency. Both runways were reopened by the evening.
The airport crew was deployed with 150 clearing vehicles and 160 employees. “There are no compromises when it comes to safety,” the spokesman said. “If it keeps raining on it, we can’t open the track.” Flights were diverted to Stuttgart, Vienna and Nuremberg, among others. There, winter service employees were also busy clearing lanes and de-icing aircraft in the afternoon. In the afternoon, the airport operator announced that at least some landings were possible again. Initially, only the northern runway was released again, then only the southern one, said the airport spokesman. Starts were only possible again in the evening after the release of both runways. However, the machines would have to be de-iced before take-off, which could lead to delays in flight operations, a spokesman said.
Train traffic is also affected: Deutsche Bahn had to temporarily suspend regional traffic between Munich and Buchloe due to the weather.
Warning from the German Weather Service for Munich
Due to the freezing temperatures coupled with rain, the German Weather Service (DWD) warns of black ice in Munich. The official warning is currently valid until midnight. According to the DWD, there is a “risk of slippery ice with a potential hazard from freezing rain”. Staying and driving outdoors should therefore be avoided and behavior adapted to road traffic. Black ice must also be expected during the night. It cannot be ruled out that freezing rain will sometimes last for many hours. Massive restrictions on road and rail traffic are to be expected. In addition, there could be damage to the infrastructure, such as electricity pylons and lines. According to the DWD, there is a risk of ice breaking in forests.
The German Weather Service warns of slippery roads and sidewalks in Munich (like here in Klenzestraße).
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
The city cemeteries in Munich will also remain closed on Wednesday due to the current and forecast freezing rain and the associated risk of ice. This was announced by the municipal press office in the morning.