Snow Chaos Halts All Flights at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport; Over 500 Movements Canceled
Key Points
- 1564 total flights (258 departing, 306 arriving) were canceled at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) due to heavy snowfall and de-icing constraints.
- 2Eurocontrol reduced inbound capacity to AMS, citing a 'significant outbound bottleneck' and high delays due to adverse weather conditions.
- 3The KNMI issued a 'Code Orange' alert for ten provinces, indicating a high risk of major disruption to both air and ground transport, including trains and roads.
- 4The disruption marks the fourth day of severe operational instability, with cascading effects expected across the European aviation network for up to a week.
Heavy snowfall brought Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to a complete standstill Monday. All flights were grounded until at least 1:00 p.m.. Luchtverkeersleiding Nederland confirmed, “There are no runways available.”. This marks the fourth consecutive day of massive disruption at the major European hub.
Operational Standstill and Cancellations
Schiphol's operational capacity was severely limited. The winter weather and required aircraft de-icing procedures caused major delays. The airport reported 258 departing flights canceled. Additionally, 306 arriving flights were also canceled. This brought the total number of scrapped movements to 564. Airlines were asked to cancel about half of their scheduled flights through 6 p.m..
The Dutch flag carrier, which operates a major hub at AMS, faced significant challenges. The airline had already canceled over 1,120 flights since January 2. The combination of snow, ice, and unfavorable wind direction reduced runway availability. In poor conditions, Schiphol's complex runway system can see capacity cut by more than half.
European Network Impact
European air traffic center Eurocontrol warned of continuing severe weather. The organization noted a low-pressure area over the North Sea was driving wintry showers. Eurocontrol warned of “high delays for arrivals” due to snow and de-icing. The weather created a “significant outbound bottleneck”. This forced a reduction in inbound capacity to balance demand across the network. Incoming flights were being redirected, mostly to Düsseldorf. The airport was generally unavailable for diversions for the rest of the day. Such disruptions at a major hub cause a cascading network effect. This is due to Schiphol’s “wave” system of connecting flights. Residual schedule instability can last up to seven days. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) sets standards for safe winter operations. Adherence to these standards slows ground operations significantly.
Wider Travel Chaos
The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) issued a code orange weather alert. This alert covered ten of the country’s twelve provinces. KNMI defines code orange as a high chance of dangerous weather. It signals a potential for major disruption and possible damage. The conditions extended beyond the airport perimeter. Heavy disruptions affected train and bus services. No trains operated to or from Amsterdam Centraal or Schiphol until at least noon. Road conditions were treacherous, with traffic congestion peaking at 690 kilometers nationwide. Authorities urged travelers to monitor conditions closely. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) advises passengers to check flight status before traveling. Travelers should also contact their airline for rebooking options. For more commercial aviation news, visit https://flying.flights.
Regional Airport Disruptions
Other regional airports in the Netherlands also faced issues. Eindhoven Airport reported 11 delays and one cancellation for departures. Rotterdam The Hague Airport saw delays of up to several hours. They reported seven delays and three cancellations for departing flights. These widespread issues highlight the vulnerability of the transport infrastructure to severe winter weather.
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