A powerful winter storm that blanketed southern Germany and the northern Alps overnight on 5 December forced Munich Airport (MUC) to close both runways for snow-clearance, leading airlines to cancel or divert all flights linking Munich with Vienna and Graz on 6 December. Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa and several low-cost carriers scrubbed more than 40 rotations, stranding an estimated 6 800 passengers—many of them consultants and plant engineers commuting between Austria and Bavaria.
Vienna International Airport (VIE) was spared the heaviest snowfall but operated under Category III low-visibility procedures, creating de-icing queues of up to 25 minutes and forcing Austrian Airlines to cancel three intra-Schengen departures to free slots for delayed Munich arrivals. Graz Airport briefly closed its single runway twice for ploughing.
![Snowstorm Shuts Munich-Vienna & Munich-Graz Air Corridor, Corporates Shift to Rail]()
Corporate travel desks reacted by rerouting staff via Zurich, Prague or ÖBB Railjet services. Ernst & Young’s Vienna mobility team reported more than 300 automatic rebookings within six hours. EU 261 weather clauses allow free re-booking but no cash compensation; companies will therefore shoulder extra hotel and ground-transport costs. ÖBB warned that Railjet seat availability was “extremely tight” and advised travellers to buy upgrades to first class, where inventory was marginally better.
Logistics chains also felt the pinch. DHL and UPS declared force-majeure for overnight express consignments routed through VIE’s night sort, while Vienna Airport renewed calls for aviation-tax reform, claiming high charges deter airlines from basing spare aircraft in Austria—reducing resilience when weather strikes.
Vienna International Airport (VIE) was spared the heaviest snowfall but operated under Category III low-visibility procedures, creating de-icing queues of up to 25 minutes and forcing Austrian Airlines to cancel three intra-Schengen departures to free slots for delayed Munich arrivals. Graz Airport briefly closed its single runway twice for ploughing.
Corporate travel desks reacted by rerouting staff via Zurich, Prague or ÖBB Railjet services. Ernst & Young’s Vienna mobility team reported more than 300 automatic rebookings within six hours. EU 261 weather clauses allow free re-booking but no cash compensation; companies will therefore shoulder extra hotel and ground-transport costs. ÖBB warned that Railjet seat availability was “extremely tight” and advised travellers to buy upgrades to first class, where inventory was marginally better.
Logistics chains also felt the pinch. DHL and UPS declared force-majeure for overnight express consignments routed through VIE’s night sort, while Vienna Airport renewed calls for aviation-tax reform, claiming high charges deter airlines from basing spare aircraft in Austria—reducing resilience when weather strikes.
