At Berlin’s BER airport, no aircraft were able to start even early on Friday morning. Operators announced that black ice and persistent sleet had made both take‑offs and landings impossible. The airport’s winter‑services crew applied de‑icing fluid to the runways overnight, but the surfaces remained slick and reflective. A resumption of flight operations remains uncertain at this time.
For the safety of passengers and staff, flight operations have been temporarily halted. Travelers are advised to check their flight status frequently before arriving. The same conditions had prevented any flights the night before.
Earlier on Thursday, the airport encountered several issues. Freezing rain in the morning stopped aircraft from taking off. Each plane required up to an hour for de‑icing, so the first departure only left in the late morning. Subsequently, the schedule suffered major delays and cancellations, forcing many passengers to endure lengthy waits.