MUC overnight debacle
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Joined: Jul 2021
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From: In the Pusta
MUC overnight debacle
Lufthansa has left more than 500 passengers trapped overnight in five of their planes at Munich airport.
The incident apparently occurred due to a combination of bad weather, airport closures, shortage of bus drivers, and, tbh, sheer incompetence and typical German bureaucracy. This affected flights to Copenhagen, Singapore, Gdansk, Graz, and Venice.
According to RTL, there had been delays and cancellations in Munich throughout the day. But in the end, hundreds of passengers were stranded on their aircraft despite having extended takeoff permission until 1 AM, rather than midnight. Finally, the airport ceased operations, regardless of how many people were trapped inside or whether there was anything to eat or drink.
An official from Lufthansa told RTL, “According to airport regulations, the aircraft had to return to an off-airport parking position. Parking at the terminal building was not possible,” adding, “Due to an insufficient number of apron buses provided by FMG [Munich Airport GmbH], the passengers were initially unable to disembark. The crews kept the passengers informed and provided them with the drinks and food available on board as best they could. Only after several hours were the passengers able to be picked up by the buses and thus leave the aircraft.”
I find this unbelievable in a major European hub - absolutely dreadful
The incident apparently occurred due to a combination of bad weather, airport closures, shortage of bus drivers, and, tbh, sheer incompetence and typical German bureaucracy. This affected flights to Copenhagen, Singapore, Gdansk, Graz, and Venice.
According to RTL, there had been delays and cancellations in Munich throughout the day. But in the end, hundreds of passengers were stranded on their aircraft despite having extended takeoff permission until 1 AM, rather than midnight. Finally, the airport ceased operations, regardless of how many people were trapped inside or whether there was anything to eat or drink.
An official from Lufthansa told RTL, “According to airport regulations, the aircraft had to return to an off-airport parking position. Parking at the terminal building was not possible,” adding, “Due to an insufficient number of apron buses provided by FMG [Munich Airport GmbH], the passengers were initially unable to disembark. The crews kept the passengers informed and provided them with the drinks and food available on board as best they could. Only after several hours were the passengers able to be picked up by the buses and thus leave the aircraft.”
I find this unbelievable in a major European hub - absolutely dreadful
Last edited by magyar_flyer; 23rd February 2026 at 10:21.
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From: Dodo Island
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Reading, UK
I've seen references to the 5 flights in total that were unable to depart - one of those was an A359 to SIN. I think we'd have heard if that number of passengers had also been stuck on board for several hours.
Happy to be corrected, but I suspect the balance of those 500 or so pax spent an equally uncomfortable night shivering back in an empty terminal
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Geneva, Switzerland
I have the following flights
- Flight LH 768: Munich to Singapore
- Flight LH 2446: Munich to Copenhagen
- Flight LH 1646: Munich to Gdansk
- Flight EN 8016: Munich to Graz (operated by Air Dolomiti)
- Flight EN 8206: Munich to Venice (operated by Air Dolomiti)
Last edited by atakacs; 24th February 2026 at 13:00.
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: UK
Next morning's flight was also late:
I once sat on an Easyjet flight at LGW for hours because of there being no baggage handlers. Flight crew kept us informed of every development. Eventually our pilot located another Easy plane that had managed to get hold of some handlers, raced across to persuade them to do us next, and then helped them load the bags onto the plane. And after that he had to fly the thing! Respect.
I once sat on an Easyjet flight at LGW for hours because of there being no baggage handlers. Flight crew kept us informed of every development. Eventually our pilot located another Easy plane that had managed to get hold of some handlers, raced across to persuade them to do us next, and then helped them load the bags onto the plane. And after that he had to fly the thing! Respect.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,108
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From: Geneva, Switzerland
Recently I was in the first LH BER-MUC rotation and the airplane had it's APU INOP, thus requiring a ground starter... which took 3h to locate & operate, despite the issue being identified the day before with the inbound leg. The pilot was less than thrilled by the service rendered by the airport. Nothing as dramatic as what happened here but still not great German efficiency to say the least.
Last edited by atakacs; 25th February 2026 at 23:16. Reason: typo
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Reported in The Independent.
Munich Airport and Lufthansa have pledged to overhaul their emergency protocols after approximately 600 passengers were left stranded on six planes during a snowstorm last week.
Both organisations issued apologies for what they described as an "unacceptable" incident, committing to new measures to prevent a recurrence.
Both organisations issued apologies for what they described as an "unacceptable" incident, committing to new measures to prevent a recurrence.
