Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Air Traffic at Berlin Airport
Extensive Delays and Cancellations
A significant snowfall overnight on Thursday into Friday has caused severe disruptions to air traffic at Berlin Airport. On Friday morning, numerous flights experienced delays, while two flights to Barcelona and Stuttgart were canceled, according to an airport spokesperson.
The delays were primarily attributed to the exceptionally heavy and wet snow, which posed challenges for clearing the runways on time. The airport spokesperson stated that the amount of snowfall had exceeded expectations, resulting in a prolonged process of removing the snow from the takeoff and landing strips.
Weather-Related Restrictions
To ensure safety in the adverse weather conditions, the German Air Traffic Control had limited the number of landings at Berlin Airport to 15 per hour. This restriction further exacerbated the delays, as aircraft were forced to wait in queues before being permitted to land.
Prolonged Deicing
Deicing operations, which are crucial for ensuring the safe takeoff of aircraft, were also significantly delayed due to the nature of the snow. While light and dry snow can be removed quickly, the heavy and sticky snow accumulated on aircraft wings, requiring more time and effort to remove. The airport spokesperson emphasized that every aircraft had to undergo the deicing process, further contributing to the time-consuming delays.
Improved Conditions by Afternoon
By early afternoon, the backlog of delayed flights had been significantly reduced, as the airport announced in a statement. However, as not all aircraft were expected to return to Berlin on time on Friday evening, there may be further schedule changes on Saturday morning.
Passenger Advice
The airport spokesperson urged all passengers to contact their respective airlines on Saturday to obtain the latest information on their flights. Passengers were advised to check the flight status online or through the airline’s mobile app before heading to the airport.
Exceptional Snowfall
The spokesperson noted that the snowfall had been unusually heavy and wet, creating challenges in both removing the snow and deicing the aircraft. This exceptional weather event led to the extensive delays and cancellations that affected air travel in Berlin.
Ongoing Monitoring
Airport authorities continue to monitor the weather conditions and work diligently to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airport. Passengers are advised to stay informed about any potential flight disruptions and plan accordingly.
