- Flight Disruptions
- March 9 sleet disrupts Frankfurt and Munich; 333 flights canceled Europe‑wide
March 9 sleet disrupts Frankfurt and Munich; 333 flights canceled Europe‑wide
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Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on 26 March 2026
333
Affected flights
2
Affected airports
333
Affected flights
2
Affected airports
Disruption overview
On March 9, sleet and de-icing backlogs led to extensive disruption across Europe, with 333 flights canceled and 2,396 delayed. Frankfurt and Munich were among the hardest hit, including a pause in apron operations at Frankfurt and cancellations of nearly half of 48 scheduled long-haul departures between 06:00 and 14:00. Knock-on effects were expected to persist due to aircraft and crew rotation issues.
Disruption details
Adverse weather on March 9 disrupted air travel across Europe, with Frankfurt and Munich among the worst affected airports. Sleet at Frankfurt coated taxiways, temporarily halting apron operations and delaying de-icing, which contributed to widespread schedule impacts.
Europe-wide impact: 333 flights canceled and 2,396 delayed
Frankfurt and Munich: among the worst affected German hubs
Frankfurt apron operations paused due to sleet; de-icing delays reported
Nearly half of 48 long-haul departures from Frankfurt (06:00–14:00) were canceled
Industry representatives warned that misaligned crew and aircraft rotations could propagate delays for up to 48 hours following the initial weather disruption.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Care and assistance
Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.
Accommodation
If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.
Communication
Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour. No compensation when a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, as this appears to be.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Weather issue
Status
Past disruption
Compensation
Not eligible for compensation
Flights affected
333
Airports affected
Frankfurt am Main Airport, Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport
Cities affected
Frankfurt, Munich
Countries affected
Germany
Start date
2026-03-09
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
26 March 2026
What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
