Quick Read
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has suspended all flight operations for a second day, Friday, February 6, 2026.
- The closure is due to hazardous black ice and persistent freezing rain, making runways dangerously slippery.
- Take-offs and landings were first suspended on Thursday; overnight clearing efforts were only partially successful.
- Germany’s third-busiest airport, BER, faces widespread cancellations and delays with no clear timeline for resuming flights.
- Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates.
BERLIN (Azat TV) – Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has suspended all flight operations for a second consecutive day, Friday, February 6, 2026, due to hazardous black ice and persistent freezing rain. The ongoing weather conditions have led to widespread flight cancellations and significant delays, leaving thousands of passengers stranded with no immediate clarity on when normal operations will resume at Germany’s third-busiest airport.
Ongoing Disruptions at Berlin Brandenburg Airport
The suspension of take-offs and landings at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, located in Schönefeld just south of the German capital, began on Thursday following an initial bout of freezing rain. Despite overnight efforts by airport personnel to clear runways and other surfaces, these measures were only partially successful, as persistent freezing rain and the formation of black ice continued to render conditions dangerously slippery. An airport spokesperson, cited by the German news agency DPA, confirmed that the airport remains closed, stating it is unclear when flights can safely resume.
Airlines operating out of BER have been forced to delay or cancel numerous departing and arriving flights, creating a ripple effect across European air travel. The airport’s official website has communicated the situation, simply stating, “Due to weather conditions, no take-offs or landings are currently possible.” The invisible yet extremely dangerous nature of black ice, a thin layer of ice that forms on surfaces and is difficult to detect, has made it impossible for the airport authorities to guarantee safe passage for aircraft.
Impact on Germany’s Third-Busiest Airport
Berlin Brandenburg Airport serves as a vital hub, ranking as Germany’s third-busiest airport after the major international transit hubs of Frankfurt and Munich. Its continued closure significantly impacts both domestic and international travel plans for a substantial number of passengers. The decision to halt operations underscores the severity of the weather conditions and the airport’s commitment to passenger safety, prioritizing the prevention of potential incidents over maintaining flight schedules.
The prolonged closure also carries economic implications, affecting airlines, ground staff, and businesses reliant on air cargo and passenger traffic. Travelers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates on their flights and potential rebooking options, as the situation remains fluid and dependent on an improvement in weather conditions.
Weather Challenges and Airport Operations
The current scenario at BER highlights the critical challenges airports face when confronted with severe winter weather. While airports are equipped with de-icing facilities and snow-clearing equipment, conditions like persistent freezing rain, which rapidly forms black ice, can overwhelm even the most prepared operations. The thin, transparent layer of ice is particularly insidious because it offers little visual warning, making it exceptionally hazardous for aircraft movement and ground vehicle operations.
The sustained closure of Berlin Brandenburg Airport for a second day due to black ice illustrates the significant vulnerability of modern air travel infrastructure to extreme and rapidly changing weather phenomena, emphasizing the complex balance between operational continuity and stringent safety protocols.