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Munich Airport, Lufthansa pledge to overhaul emergency protocols after snowstorm mishap
Reuters· 2026-02-27 11:03
Core Viewpoint - Munich Airport and Lufthansa have committed to revamping their emergency protocols following an incident where approximately 600 passengers were stranded on six planes during a snowstorm, which they deemed "unacceptable" [1][3][4]. Group 1: Incident Details - The incident occurred on February 19, where operational shortfalls such as lack of terminal space, stretched bus capacity, and staff shortages due to a strict night curfew contributed to delays in passenger transfer [3]. - Passengers were left aboard aircraft for hours with limited food and blankets, receiving sparse updates from the crew [3]. Group 2: Accountability and Response - Lufthansa's Hub Manager for Munich Airport, Heiko Reitz, acknowledged mistakes made during the incident and stated that both the airport and airline take responsibility [2]. - Following the incident, Lufthansa began contacting affected travelers the next day to manage compensation claims, which drew criticism from pilot and firefighter unions, as well as local politicians who warned that the event could damage Munich's reputation as a transit hub [4]. Group 3: Future Measures - Both Munich Airport and Lufthansa have pledged to improve coordination and readiness for future disruptions to prevent similar incidents from occurring [4].