Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) Suspends Flights Due to Black Ice and Freezing Rain

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) suspended all flight operations on Friday morning, citing hazardous conditions caused by black ice and freezing rain. This follows a series of flight cancellations on Thursday, attributed to similar severe weather.

Operations Halted Amid Adverse Conditions

An airport spokeswoman confirmed that both takeoffs and landings were impossible. She anticipated that flight operations would resume later on Friday but did not provide a specific timeframe.

Takeoffs and landings were not possible.

De-icing procedures were reported to take up to an hour, which is more than double the usual duration. Disruptions, including delays and further cancellations, persisted into the early afternoon.

Overnight Efforts and Traveler Advisory

Overnight efforts by airport staff to clear runways were only partially successful. Persistent freezing rain and black ice left surfaces dangerously slippery.

Travelers are strongly advised to regularly check the status of their flights before making their way to the airport.

Wider Regional Impact and Weather Outlook

Germany's national weather service (DWD) issued a warning for freezing rain and black ice across northeastern Germany. Conditions are expected to gradually improve throughout the day, with temperatures hovering around 0 degrees Celsius.

On Thursday, police recorded multiple accidents and 19 injuries on the Autobahn 10 highway near Potsdam. Additionally, rail services connecting Berlin and Hamburg experienced significant disruptions. Meanwhile, milder weather was forecast for southern and western Germany.