Operations at Munich International Airport are gradually returning to normal after severe disruption caused by heavy snowfall and exceptionally cold temperatures over the weekend. More than 700 scheduled flights were canceled on Saturday and business aircraft were grounded as a result of an early winter storm that produced up to 17 inches of snow and temperatures as low as -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F).
A video widely distributed via social media showed a Cessna Citation X stranded on the apron and tipped back on its tail. According to sources at local ground handlers, the incident was caused by heavy snow accumulating on the aircraft’s tail.
Staff with the ExecuJet Aviation FBO operating from the German airport’s general aviation terminal reported difficulties experienced with snow removal vehicles that could only work very slowly to clear aprons, taxiways, and runways. The Luxaviation company’s local manager told AIN that, for general aviation traffic, prior permission required restrictions are likely to remain in place through tomorrow because of the disruption from the snowstorm.
Other parts of Central Europe—including Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic—saw widespread disruption to transportation networks as a result of the weather. Flights were also suspended for a prolonged period on Saturday at Glasgow Airport in Scotland due to heavy snowfall.