Passengers Stuck on Tarmac for Hours as Storm Freezes Nashville International Airport

Due to a weather pattern that dumped over 5 inches of snow in Nashville, Tennessee, passengers looking to leave Music City were stuck on the tarmac for hours. The storm ultimately froze Nashville International Airport.

The Tennessean reported that the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for the airport on Monday, Jan. 15 before 4 p.m. and lifted it at 5:15 p.m. Ground stops are implemented when air traffic control cannot safely accommodate additional aircraft in the system. 

Before the lift, Nashville International Airport shared the following message on X. “The FAA has issued a ground stop of all flights at BNA due to the weather. For ongoing flight updates, please check with your respective airline on your flight status.”

The Independent reported that some passengers were stranded on the tarmac for around seven hours. Reportedly, the de-icing trucks ran out of fuel, and the valve to refill the de-icing truck reportedly froze.

The FAA has issued a ground stop of all flights at BNA due to the weather. For ongoing flight updates, please check with your respective airline on your flight status. pic.twitter.com/vEWzYxMXbQ

— Fly Nashville (@Fly_Nashville) January 15, 2024

De-icing is a crucial process for airlines in wintry conditions. It helps remove ice, snow, or frost from the aircraft’s surfaces, such as wings, tail, and fuselage, to ensure a safe takeoff and flight.

The first winter storm of 2024 swept through the state Sunday into Monday morning, bringing mounting precipitation and hazardous conditions. Temperatures across the area remain at dangerous lows, according to the Nashville Weather Service’s statement on social media.

They were not expected to climb above freezing until Thursday. These colder temperatures mean the snow will only melt once the region gets sunshine on Wednesday and Thursday when temperatures rise above freezing. Additional snow is possible Thursday night into Friday with little to no accumulation.

As this winter weather pattern continues to move through the state, travelers are advised to check with their carriers before heading to the airport. To keep up with flight statuses, check individual airlines and BNA’s website at flynashville.com.