An ordeal unfolded for 190 passengers, predominantly Italian, who were scheduled to fly from Berlin to Rome on a Ryanair flight that ultimately never departed on Saturday, January 3rd. The flight, FR1471, initially slated for a 7:30 PM departure, faced multiple delays, first to 8:00 PM, then to 10:00 PM, before being definitively canceled at midnight. Passengers reported being kept on board for four hours without refreshments or information.
Snowy Weather and Airport Night Curfew Lead to Cancellation
According to a traveler who spoke to Ansa, “Saturday in Berlin was a snowy day, but not a blizzard, so much so that we managed to reach the airport. They boarded us with an hour’s delay and then kept us on the plane for four hours without receiving refreshments or information.”
The passenger, traveling with his wife and two minor children, explained that after the de-icing operation, the aircraft was on the takeoff list and began taxiing. However, at the last minute, the captain announced that the airport was closed. This closure, he added, was not due to the weather but to a federal law prohibiting night flights between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
Lack of Accommodation and Further Delays
Once disembarked, the airline reportedly informed passengers that it was impossible to find hotel accommodations, advising them to “arrange reasonable-cost accommodation independently” and seek reimbursement later. However, at 2:00 AM, with dozens of families in the same predicament, finding lodging proved nearly impossible.
The flight was rescheduled for 10:00 AM on Sunday, January 4th. Yet, passengers faced further waiting. “They informed us of another delay until noon due to difficulties in forming a crew. Faced with our protest, they told us to contact the embassy, and only then did boarding begin,” the passenger recounted.
“A Nightmare” Journey Concludes
After a grueling wait of over 15 hours, the travelers finally departed Berlin shortly after Sunday lunchtime, bringing an end to what many described as “a nightmare.”
This incident highlights the challenges faced by airlines and passengers when strict airport regulations, such as night curfews, intersect with unforeseen operational delays like adverse weather conditions. The rigid adherence to the night flight ban, even for a flight that was already taxiing, underscores the complexities of air travel logistics in densely populated areas with environmental noise restrictions.
Similar Incidents and Ryanair’s Stance
This event is not an isolated one, as similar situations have occurred at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) where flights have been diverted or canceled due to the night curfew. For instance, in May 2025, a Ryanair flight from Vilnius was diverted to Hannover after arriving seven minutes past the midnight curfew, leading to a three-hour bus journey for 189 passengers to Berlin [ilmessaggero.it](https://www.ilmessaggero.it/mondo/ryanair_aereo_ritarda_aeroporto_chiuso_berlino_cosa_e_successo-8858179.html), [corriere.it](https://www.corriere.it/economia/trasporti/aerei/25_maggio_25/berlino-il-volo-in-ritardo-di-7-minuti-arriva-ad-aeroporto-chiuso-e-viene-dirottato-ryanair-inaccettabile-5b37bade-bccf-45cc-ae2b-8fed2888bxlk.shtml), [lastampa.it](https://www.lastampa.it/esteri/2025/05/25/news/ryanair_volo_berlino_ritardo_dirottato-15163202/), [fanpage.it](https://www.fanpage.it/esteri/volo-ryanair-diretto-a-berlino-viene-dirottato-a-250-chilometri-di-distanza-per-7-minuti-di-ritardo/). Ryanair has consistently criticized these “excessively rigid” night flight bans, advocating for greater flexibility to avoid unnecessary passenger inconvenience and environmental impact from diversions.
The airline has argued that a slight extension of the curfew in justified cases would be more reasonable and eco-friendly than forcing diversions or cancellations, which often result in longer travel times and additional ground transportation. However, authorities in Berlin uphold the curfew to protect residents from nocturnal noise, a policy supported by federal court rulings.
Passenger Rights and Compensation
Passengers affected by such cancellations and significant delays are typically entitled to compensation under EU regulations, especially when the disruption is not caused by extraordinary circumstances like severe weather. However, the interpretation of “extraordinary circumstances” can be a point of contention between airlines and passengers.
In this particular case, while snow was present, the passenger’s account suggests it was not severe enough to prevent airport access or initial boarding, raising questions about whether the cancellation was solely due to weather or primarily the night curfew. The airline’s instruction for passengers to find their own accommodation and seek reimbursement is standard procedure in some cases, but the timing of the cancellation made this particularly challenging for the stranded travelers.
The incident underscores the ongoing debate between operational flexibility for airlines and the rights of local communities to minimize noise pollution from airports. For the 190 passengers on the Berlin-Rome flight, it was a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the impact of stringent regulations.
Source: [romatoday.it](https://www.romatoday.it/cronaca/volo-berlino-roma-ryanair.html)
