Janice R. Andrews
Germany’s Frankfurt, January 18, 2024
Due to the terrible weather and cold temperatures that have hit the country, hundreds of flights have been grounded, greatly affecting air travel in Germany. It is anticipated that the disruption, which started on January 17, would continue through January 18, leading to massive delays and cancellations at all major airports.
German airports cancel flights because of “extreme” weather:
There are forecasts of significant snowfall from the German Weather Service, with up to 30 centimetres of snow expected in some locations during the next 24 hours. Pilots are put in dangerous situations because of the freezing conditions, which are dangerous for aircraft both on the ground and in the air.
This is especially noticeable at Frankfurt airport, one of the busiest transport hubs. 570 of the 1,047 scheduled arrivals and departures on Wednesday were postponed. As of Thursday, almost 300 of the 1,000 scheduled flights have already been grounded, making the situation worse. Despite the implementation of de-icing protocols, there is always a concern over the possibility of aircraft freezing up during runway taxiing.
Aviation authorities reported that “Munich airport is also affected, with 254 flights grounded.” Wednesday saw the daylong closure of Saarbruecken airport in western Germany, along with delays and cancellations at Dusseldorf and Cologne/Bonn airports.
‘Extremely severe’ circumstances are indicated by the German Weather Service’s upgrade of weather warnings to level 4. Black ice on runways reduces aeroplane traction and increases the danger of accidents; Frankfurt airport issued warnings about it.
With bases at Munich and Frankfurt airports, Lufthansa expects major difficulties. When there are flight cancellations, travellers are advised not to go to the airport and instead to check the status of their flights online at the airline or airport websites.
Icy conditions hamper German rail traffic:
In a parallel development, German state rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) has also reported disruptions in rail travel due to freezing conditions. Several long-distance connections were canceled, and the maximum speed for high-speed ICE trains was limited to 200 kilometers per hour on Wednesday. DB warns that Thursday will likely witness further impacts on rail services due to the extreme weather conditions. Travelers are advised to stay updated on service status through the company’s channels.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities continue to monitor and respond to the challenges posed by the ongoing extreme weather conditions across Germany.
