Feel the Winter's Bite: Muenchen's Flights Suspended, Affecting BER
Tackle the chill as Lufthansa axes eleven flights from Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) bound for Munich on Tuesday. The airline's website publication confirms this information, listing canceled departures. Additionally, the twelve scheduled landings from Munich to BER have hit the brakes too.
Munich Airport suspends operations for Tuesday due to freezing rain. An airport spokesperson revealed on their website that the runways have been completely blanketed with ice, making take-offs and landings impossible. Flight operations will not resume until midday, with the hope for air traffic to pick up again. However, given the circumstances, many more cancellations can be expected throughout the day.
For Lufthansa flyers, BER and Munich's flights may put a damper on plans. Alternative flights from Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, like those to Frankfurt or Hamburg, may be worth exploring for those seeking to travel within Germany.
Weather Woes in Germany
Europe's colder months often wreak havoc on air travel in Germany, including Berlin. The Winter season has consistently brought about disruptions, such as the 'snow chaos' that affected BER's flight operations.
Munich's Ice Chaos
Despite efforts to restore Munich's air traffic following the morning's 'ice chaos,' more cancellations seem inevitable due to safety concerns.
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Deeper Insights into Winter Disruptions
- Heavy snowfall: Munich Airport, like many others across Europe, grapples with disruptions when the snowfall is significant. Heavy snow blankets the runways, leading to icing surfaces and reduced visibility, often leading to airport closures – as was observed in Winter Storm Harlow in the United States.[3]
- Low visibility: Poor visibility is another factor, as heavy snowfall can restrict sight on runways, making it unsafe for aircraft to both land and take off. A prime example was the Berlin Brandenburg Airport's flight operations on February 13, 2025, where overnight snowfall caused disruptions to air traffic.[2]
- Wind and temperature: Although not stated for Munich Airport, wind and temperature can also contribute to fog and decreased visibility, which are frequent challenges in the European winter.
Lufthansa flights between Munich and Berlin-Brandenburg may not be directly impacted by Munich's specific weather conditions. However, severe weather disruptions can affect its overall operations, potentially leading to cancellations or delays for connecting flights. In case Munich Airport shuts down or significantly limits operations due to weather, Lufthansa might have to adjust its schedules or divert flights to keep connections. Additionally, widespread disruptions across Germany could impact multiple airports, including Berlin-Brandenburg, causing a ripple effect on Lufthansa's operations.
