Departures at Berlin Brandenburg Airport were halted Thursday morning after freezing rain made de-icing operations impossible, an airport spokeswoman said. The stoppage affected outbound flights across the capital, while arrivals initially continued without interruption.
Travelers were advised to anticipate cancellations and lengthy delays and told to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight information. Airport officials warned disruptions could persist until weather conditions allow safe de-icing and aircraft handling.
Germany has been enduring an extended cold snap from January into February. Berlin has been covered in snow and temperatures have dropped below -10°C (14°F), a severe spell that has already caused major disruption to train services and other transport.
The German Weather Service (DWD) issued alerts for Berlin, warning of a high risk of dangerous ice: freezing rain can create extremely slippery conditions across the city, officials said.