Why Amsterdam Schiphol and KLM Face Crisis After Europe's Winter Storm

January 7, 2026 at 06:20 PM•3 min read

KLM and Amsterdam Schiphol were hit hardest by Storm Goretti, leading to over 700 flight cancellations and a critical de-icing fluid shortage across the European aviation network.

Key Points

1Over 700 flights were canceled at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) on Wednesday, January 7th, due to persistent snow and wind.
2KLM, the hub's main carrier, canceled approximately 600 flights and reported a critical shortage of de-icing fluid.
3Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY) saw 140 combined cancellations, with Brussels Airport (BRU) also reporting 40 canceled flights.

The European aviation network faced severe flight cancellations and delays this week. This chaos was caused by Storm Goretti, the first named storm of the year. The storm brought heavy snow, ice, and strong winds to the Atlantic coast.

Schiphol Airport at a Standstill

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) was the most affected hub in Europe. The disruption has persisted for nearly a week. On Wednesday, January 7th, airlines canceled over 700 flights at the Dutch hub. This was due to persistent snow and gale-force winds.

Dutch flag carrier KLM was hit hardest by the weather. The airline canceled approximately 600 flights on Wednesday alone. Since the disruption began, KLM has canceled over 1,300 flights. The airline was forced to temporarily stop ticket sales to maximize seat availability for stranded passengers. Schiphol Airport is one of Europe's busiest hubs, and the situation was called "exceptional" by a spokesperson. More than 1,000 travelers were forced to spend the night at the airport. The airport provided cots and breakfast for these stranded passengers.

De-Icing Fluid Shortage Exacerbates Crisis

The Amsterdam Schiphol flight disruption was worsened by a logistics issue. KLM warned of a critical de-icing fluid shortage. The extreme weather had halted supplies from their German provider. The airline was forced to send its own teams to Germany to retrieve the fluid. The airport's infrastructure was not designed for multiple days of heavy snow. This shortage became a major bottleneck for ground operations.

Impact on French and Belgian Air Travel

Other major European hubs also saw significant flight cancellations. In France, the civil aviation authority requested airlines reduce their schedules. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) saw about 100 cancellations. An additional 40 flights were canceled at Paris Orly Airport (ORY).

Brussels Airport (BRU) also canceled 40 flights on Wednesday. Crews worked to clear runways and de-ice aircraft, causing delays throughout the day. London Heathrow (LHR) reported 45 canceled flights and hundreds of delays.

Wider Travel and Safety Concerns

The storm's impact extended beyond air travel. Train services, including the Eurostar, faced delays and cancellations. Authorities in the Netherlands and France advised against non-essential travel. Road conditions were treacherous, with warnings for black ice. In the United Kingdom, amber snow warnings were issued for conditions posing a "danger to life". The widespread Storm Goretti travel chaos highlights the fragility of Europe's interconnected transport systems when facing extreme winter weather. Passengers should monitor their flight status on reputable sources like EASA or their airline's website for the latest aviation news and updates on ground operations at https://flying.flights.