Freezing rain and a sheet of black ice forced Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to suspend all take-offs and landings late on 5 February—and the shutdown continued through Friday morning, 6 February. Czech carriers Smartwings and ČSA cancelled their Prague–Berlin rotations, while Eurowings diverted its morning Berlin-to-Prague flight to Dresden, bussing passengers the rest of the way. In total, more than 170 flights were scrubbed or diverted, according to the Brussels Times.
Runway and taxi-way de-icing teams worked through the night, but airport management said conditions remained “dangerously slippery”. Germany’s DWD weather service kept a red ice warning in place for Berlin and much of the north-east, and rail operator Deutsche Bahn reduced high-speed services on the Berlin–Hanover corridor. The disruption is expected to cascade across European schedules as aircraft and crew fall out of position.
For travellers starting or ending trips in the Czech Republic, the closure is more than a nuisance. Berlin is a popular alternative gateway for eastern Czechs because of its extensive long-haul network. Mobility specialists at relocation firm MoveOne told clients to reroute via Munich, Vienna or Warsaw, and to check whether airlines treat the event as “extraordinary circumstances” (most do, meaning hotel costs are not automatically reimbursed). Czech exporters shipping high-value components by air freight also face delays, with some freight forwarders redirecting cargo to Leipzig/Halle.
![Berlin Airport Ice Closure Ripples Into Czech Travel Plans]()
Should sudden rerouting send you through unfamiliar hubs or require an unexpected transit visa, VisaHQ can smooth the process. Its Czech Republic portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) offers real-time visa checks, fast e-visa applications and corporate support, helping travellers and logistics teams stay compliant even when winter weather throws schedules into disarray.
Václav Havel Airport remains fully operational but warned of knock-on delays, especially for flights that rely on aircraft originating in Berlin. Passengers booked on Prague–Berlin services this weekend can rebook free of charge or claim a refund; rail seats on the EuroCity Berliner are still available, although snow may slow the line north of Dresden.
The episode is a reminder that winter weather elsewhere in Europe can have immediate consequences for Czech mobility and supply chains. HR teams should monitor trans-border disruptions and ensure that business-critical staff have flexible tickets or virtual-meeting alternatives.
Runway and taxi-way de-icing teams worked through the night, but airport management said conditions remained “dangerously slippery”. Germany’s DWD weather service kept a red ice warning in place for Berlin and much of the north-east, and rail operator Deutsche Bahn reduced high-speed services on the Berlin–Hanover corridor. The disruption is expected to cascade across European schedules as aircraft and crew fall out of position.
For travellers starting or ending trips in the Czech Republic, the closure is more than a nuisance. Berlin is a popular alternative gateway for eastern Czechs because of its extensive long-haul network. Mobility specialists at relocation firm MoveOne told clients to reroute via Munich, Vienna or Warsaw, and to check whether airlines treat the event as “extraordinary circumstances” (most do, meaning hotel costs are not automatically reimbursed). Czech exporters shipping high-value components by air freight also face delays, with some freight forwarders redirecting cargo to Leipzig/Halle.
Should sudden rerouting send you through unfamiliar hubs or require an unexpected transit visa, VisaHQ can smooth the process. Its Czech Republic portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) offers real-time visa checks, fast e-visa applications and corporate support, helping travellers and logistics teams stay compliant even when winter weather throws schedules into disarray.
Václav Havel Airport remains fully operational but warned of knock-on delays, especially for flights that rely on aircraft originating in Berlin. Passengers booked on Prague–Berlin services this weekend can rebook free of charge or claim a refund; rail seats on the EuroCity Berliner are still available, although snow may slow the line north of Dresden.
The episode is a reminder that winter weather elsewhere in Europe can have immediate consequences for Czech mobility and supply chains. HR teams should monitor trans-border disruptions and ensure that business-critical staff have flexible tickets or virtual-meeting alternatives.
