Heavy snow and ice forced the complete closure of  Europe’s most big Frankfurt Airport, Passengers across the country could face more delays and cancellations as the day progresses.

As a band of wintry weather has brought travel chaos as it has moved from the north of Germany to the south and west. Frankfurt Airport had before 10am already cancelled over 200 of its 1,238 flights for the day. Domestic flights were hit the worst, along with inter-European trips.

But by midday de-icing crews were unable to keep up with the weather, forcing the entire airport to shut down temporarily. Airport officials said they hoped flights could resume later in the afternoon.

“Since 11:20am, there have been no take-offs or landings. In addition to heavy snow, we have also had snowdrifts,” an airport spokesman told news agency AFP.

Passengers whose flights have been cancelled or those facing delays have been offered free food, showers, two telephone calls and email access when necessary as well as a hotel stay.

They will not be getting refunds though, as snow qualifies as an “exceptional circumstance.”

In Hesse, where Frankfurt is, lots of schools have been shut because of the snow and police have had to shut numerous roads.