Berlin Brandenburg Airport, one of Europe's major aviation hubs, was compelled to cease all operations yesterday due to extreme weather conditions, resulting in widespread travel chaos. The shutdown has led to approximately 170 flight cancellations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and facing significant delays.
Severe Weather Conditions Force Airport Closure
The airport officially closed its runways at 6pm CET on Thursday, February 5, after freezing rain and black ice made take-offs and landings impossible. In a statement released on its website, airport authorities confirmed: “Due to weather conditions, no take-offs or landings are currently possible.” The adverse weather has persisted, meaning the airport remains closed today, February 6, with no immediate indication of when normal services might resume.
Passengers Advised to Expect Significant Disruption
Airport officials have urged travellers to exercise patience and prepare for ongoing cancellations and delays. A spokesperson for Berlin Brandenburg Airport stated: “We currently have freezing rain and black ice and cannot yet predict when takeoffs and landings will be possible. Passengers need to be patient and expect significant delays and cancellations.” Flight tracking service FlightAware reported the cancellations affecting numerous airlines over a 24-hour period.
Context of Aviation Industry Challenges
This incident occurs against a backdrop of turbulence within the aviation sector. Recently, EcoJet Airlines, a British carrier once celebrated as “the world’s first electric airline,” collapsed into liquidation. Founded in Edinburgh in 2023 by entrepreneur Dale Vince, the company appointed provisional liquidators after a failed attempt to raise £20 million in funding.
Mr Vince commented on the setback, saying: “We remain committed to electrifying all forms of transport – aviation is the last frontier and the hardest. It’s taking longer than we hoped, to get the technology and regulatory pieces of the puzzle in alignment, and so we’re pausing work at this time. This is a vital frontier in the move to net zero, green living, whatever you choose to call it – and it’s absolutely doable. It’s a matter of when not if.”
The closure of Berlin Brandenburg Airport underscores the vulnerability of air travel to environmental factors, while the liquidation of EcoJet highlights the ongoing challenges in transitioning to sustainable aviation technologies. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates and alternative travel arrangements as the situation develops.
