‘Flights impossible’ as freezing rain and thick layer of ice forces German airport to close

World

Munich Airport has been forced to close again after being hit by extreme wintry weather, making safe flights “impossible”.

Freezing rain hit the German city, forcing the airport to temporarily cancel or postpone all flights on Tuesday morning.

It said there would be no take-offs or landings from 6am until midday in its announcement on Monday night, adding expected precipitation would make safe flights “impossible”.

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Freezing rain suspended operations

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Workers clear a towable passenger staircase from snow

The country’s second-biggest airport also warned the majority of flights scheduled for later in the day may face cancellations for safety reasons.

The airport said ice on its runways and apron – where aircraft are stationed – was “extreme”, adding that there was “a thick layer of ice as smooth as glass”.

It urged passengers to contact their airline before travelling to find out the flight’s status and to avoid rebooking at the airport due to “insufficient capacity available”.

The suspensions come after all flights at the airport were grounded on Saturday as heavy snowfall blanketed the city and the southern state of Bavaria.

More on Germany

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The airport was also closed on Saturday due to heavy snow

Adverse weather wreaked chaos in the state with car collisions reported and train connections affected.

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Two people died in a crash between a car and a tractor in Upper Bavaria, reportedly due to frozen rain on the road’s surface.

Meanwhile, the A99 motorway near Munich was closed in both directions after 13 vehicles were reportedly involved in a mass accident.

Train operator Deutsche Bahn said there would be disruption in the Munich area for several days.

Germany’s neighbours Austria and Switzerland have also experienced heavy snowfall affecting public transport, raising concerns about possible avalanches.

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