The Landshut public prosecutor’s office closed the criminal investigation into the February 2026 overnight stranding of 600 passengers at Munich Airport without results, confirming no individual committed criminal acts[1][3]. Severe snowfall and staffing shortages prevented deplaning before the airport curfew, leaving travelers trapped on grounded aircraft for hours[3][7]. Despite EU261 exemptions for weather-related disruptions, Lufthansa voluntarily provided financial compensation to affected passengers, setting a precedent for corporate responsibility beyond legal liability[1][9]. The case, prompted by an uninvolved third party citing potential §239 StGB violations, underscores the tension between legal immunity and operational trust-building in aviation during extreme weather events[1][5]. Operators now face heightened expectations for voluntary compensation as a critical measure to maintain passenger confidence when regulatory mandates fall short[4][6].