Cologne/Bonn Airport Chaos: Technical Mishap Leaves Hundreds Missing Flights and Delays Galore
Multitudes of travelers suffer last-minute setbacks due to disrupted baggage organization at airports.
Get ready for a travel nightmare! Cologne/Bonn Airport's Terminal 2 baggage sorting system malfunctioned overnight, leading to lengthy check-in queues and hundreds of passengers missing their flights.
The IT glitch that hit the airport has been confirmed by an official spokesperson, causing chaos and stress for travelers. Eurowings alone reported 640 passengers needing to be rebooked for later flights, expressing their regret for the trouble caused.
The large baggage conveyor and sorting system went kaput around midnight, and it wasn't until 7:30 AM that repairs were made. In the meantime, both incoming and departing passengers had to make do with Terminal 1's less efficient baggage system, resulting in extended check-in times even after the issue was resolved. It's worth noting that this airport's flights operate around the clock.
Other affected airlines, besides Eurowings, are yet to be specified. In total, 25 flights left with considerable delays, some even running late by up to one and a half hours, while incoming passengers also faced longer waits for their suitcases.
As for the root cause of the baggage system failure, there's no precise or detailed report available. However, a viral TikTok post on June 14, 2025, hinted at an IT failure and subsequent issues with airport operations using the hashtags #airport #köln #cologne.
Passengers can expect to encounter extended wait times, potential flight disruptions, missed connections, and delayed luggage upon arrival. The whole fiasco adds to the pressure on airport staff, including handling agents and operations managers, who have to manually process baggage during the system outage.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops, and remember to pack an extra change of clothes in your carry-on next time you travel through Cologne/Bonn Airport!
Sources: ntv.de, hvo/dpa
Cities: Cologne, Bonn
Airlines: Eurowings
Airports: Cologne/Bonn Airport
Travel Tip A smart move is to request a refund for your inbound flight if your luggage does not arrive a week after your travel date. An unfortunate side effect of these baggage system failures.
The chaos at Cologne/Bonn Airport could affect your lifestyle, as the IT mishap at this international airport may cause travel disruptions. Delays and missed flights are expected, especially for Eurowings passengers, who have been advised to rebook their flights.
