Freezing rain and black ice shut BER for a second day, stranding passengers and prompting fatal-accident reports

BER has halted all arrivals and departures for a second day as freezing rain and black ice rendered runways unusable despite overnight de-icing, creating immediate network disruption and passenger stranding.

Fatal accidents have been reported and the resumption timeline is unknown, forcing airlines to manage rebookings, crew/slot knock-on effects and safety investigations.

This incident highlights recurring winter vulnerabilities for European airports — from de-icing logistics to large-scale passenger disruption — and echoes prior winter closures that left thousands stranded and forced airlines into mass cancellations (see related Schiphol de-icing supply disruption and Hokkaido snowfall impacts) [source:785f16b7-290f-4da6-8809-b073e07860cc] [source:7ebfc3de-3d35-4d5f-aa29-88947c0f3998].