Around 500 passengers were stranded overnight on grounded aircraft at the Munich Airport in Germany after a very heavy snowfall across February 19 to 20 took place, disrupting flight operations and leaving them unable to leave those planes.
The disruption started when a major snowstorm caused numerous flights to be delayed or canceled. Some of these passengers had already boarded the planes of Lufthansa and other leading carriers when departures were finally scrubbed during the later hours of the evening.
{img}Since the airport was overwhelmed by snow and many terminals and gates were so full, the planes remained parked at remote stands instead of near the terminal.
As the night progressed, airport operations started to slow down in a dramatic manner. Staff shortages and the airport's night flight restrictions meant that there were going to be no buses or ladders available to bring passengers back to the terminal.
{img}Many people had no choice but to remain inside the plane for hours with limited access to food, water, and blankets.
Buses and equipment eventually arrived during the early morning hours, allowing people to disembark and reschedule their travel. Both the airport and airlines later apologized for the ordeal.