Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is facing more flight delays and cancellations today (06FEB) after black ice and persistent freezing rain forced the airport to temporarily close on 05FEB.
Germany’s third-busiest airport said no takeoffs or landings were possible early on Friday as icy conditions made runways and taxiways unsafe. Ground crews worked overnight to de-ice surfaces, but freezing rain continued to refreeze on contact.
In a post on X on Friday afternoon local time, the airport said flight operations had resumed but travellers should expect "significant delays and flight cancellations." The post also warned passengers to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.
According to FlightAware as of 11:20 a.m EST, 177 flights have been cancelled and 70 delayed today.
The shutdown on Thursday followed a night of snow and freezing rain. Nearly 170 flights were cancelled within 24 hours, according to FlightAware, as airlines scrambled to rebook passengers.
The weather snarled transport well beyond the airport. Germany’s weather service warned of dangerous black ice across northern and eastern regions. Police reported multiple crashes on Autobahn 10 near Potsdam, injuring 19 people, while rail traffic—including services between Berlin and Hamburg—faced delays and cancellations.
Under EU rules, passengers affected by weather-related cancellations are entitled to assistance such as meals, accommodation and rebooking, though airlines are not required to pay compensation when disruptions are caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather.
