Why Did Berlin Brandenburg Airport Suspend All Flights Friday Morning?

The German capital airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), halted all flight operations. This suspension began late Thursday and continued into Friday morning. The cause was persistent black ice freezing rain across the region. Airport authorities deemed conditions unsafe for aircraft movement.

Operations Halted by Treacherous Ice

The airport’s winter service teams worked overnight. They continuously applied de-icing agents to the airfield. However, the persistent freezing rain quickly re-iced surfaces. This created dangerously slippery conditions. Officials described the runways as "as smooth as glass". Safety protocols demanded the full suspension. BER confirmed operations officially resumed shortly after noon on Friday.

Widespread Aviation and Travel Impact

The flight operations suspended led to widespread disruption. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed. At BER alone, 116 flights were canceled. An additional 94 flights faced significant delays.

Major carriers felt the impact immediately. easyJet reported the highest number of cancellations. Other airlines like Air France and KLM also saw disruptions. Diversions to alternative airports also increased. Passengers faced long rebooking backlogs. Many travelers were stranded overnight at the terminal.

Challenges of Freezing Rain

Black ice is particularly dangerous for aviation. It forms quickly and is nearly invisible. This thin layer severely reduces braking performance. Ground handling challenges become extreme. Freezing rain also makes aircraft de-icing difficult. Ice forms instantly on the aircraft surfaces.

Regulatory and Safety Context

European Union (EU) Regulation 261 governs passenger rights. This rule requires airlines to offer care and rerouting. However, compensation for tickets is unlikely. The severe weather is considered an "extraordinary circumstance". This is a factor outside the airline's control. Aviation safety bodies like EASA stress operational limits. They emphasize the need for safe surface friction levels. The winter weather flight safety remains the highest priority. The disruption was part of a larger weather system. It also affected rail and road traffic across Germany. Officials warned of renewed black ice risks. This could force another temporary flight suspension.

Visit flying.flights for the latest commercial aviation news and airline industry updates. Track policy changes, airspace rules, and global aviation governance in the Regulatory category at flying.flights/regulatory.