Amidst the chaos, 10,000 luggage pieces have ended up stuck at Munich Airport due to the heavy snowfall. Lufthansa employees, faced with snow-covered planes and impassible apron vehicles, struggle to maintain order.
Brandes, the Lufthansa COO, explained that some of the luggage is still trapped in snow-covered airplanes that need to be de-iced before takeoff. With clearing work still underway, it'll be a while before delivery resumes.
Passengers have grown frustrated with the extended delays and cancellations. Georg, an airline passenger, was one of many caught in the chaos, waiting for his luggage to be retrieved.
The airport spokesperson, Henner Euting, confirmed that operations have resumed, but with significantly reduced capacity. Instead of the originally planned 770 take-offs and landings, only about 100 flights are expected until midnight due to the challenges posed by Tuesday's icy rain.
Munich Airport and some airlines are still anticipating cancellations on Wednesday. Flight operations are not expected to return to normal until the weekend.
The winter market at the airport, already plagued by snow and ice, will remain closed up to and including December 8th. Dangerous conditions persist as snow continues to fall from the roofs, putting visitors in peril.
Additional Insights:
Airports like Munich typically have contingency plans to manage weather disruptions. These plans often prioritize essential services like baggage handling to minimize delays. However, the exact time it takes for stuck luggage to be sorted and dispatched can vary greatly based on the severity of the disruption and the effectiveness of the airport's baggage handling system.
[1] Airports' Contingency Plans to Manage Weather Disruptions:
In normal conditions, baggage handling is an organized process. However, during weather disruptions, delays can be more significant. Airports with robust systems, like Frankfurt, are better equipped to manage these challenges and get luggage sorted and dispatched more quickly.
[2] Baggage Handling in Heavy Snowfall:
Heavy snowfall can pose significant challenges to baggage handling, especially if the aprons, runways, and taxiways are covered in ice. Crews must break up the layers of ice with granules and de-icing agents before they can melt and drain into collecting basins. This process can take hours, further delaying the delivery of luggage.
