The recent extreme weather conditions in Germany have caused widespread flight disruptions, with hundreds of flights being cancelled on January 17 and 18. The German Weather Service has reported heavy snowfall across the country, with some areas expecting up to 30 centimeters of snow in the next 24 hours.
Frankfurt airport has been the most impacted, with over 570 of the scheduled flights cancelled. The airport has advised travelers to check their flight status before coming to the airport. Munich airport has also been affected, with 254 flights grounded.
Other airports, including Saarbruecken, Dusseldorf, and Cologne/Bonn, have also reported delays and cancellations. The German Weather Service has raised weather warnings to level four, indicating extremely severe weather conditions. Frankfurt airport has also issued warnings of black ice on runways, posing a risk of accidents.
Lufthansa airline, based at Frankfurt and Munich airports, is expected to be the most affected, with thousands of flights cancelled. The company has urged passengers to check the status of their flights and avoid going to the airport if their flight is cancelled.
The extreme weather conditions in Germany have also affected rail travel, with the German state rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) announcing delays and cancellations. The company has suspended several long-distance connections and limited the maximum speed for its high-speed ICE trains to 200 kilometers per hour.
Given the uncertain weather conditions, travel insurance is recommended for anyone planning to travel to Europe. Travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions, medical emergencies, trip delays, lost or delayed baggage, and emergency evacuation. Companies like AXA Travel Insurance, Europ Assistance, Allianz Travel Insurance, Mondial Care, Mutuaide, and DR-WALTER offer some of the best deals. Stay safe and prepared as you travel in light of these unpredictable weather conditions.
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