Winter Storm Grounds Over 2,500 Flights at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

January 6, 2026 at 11:27 AM•2 min read

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport faced five days of severe operational disruption, canceling over 2,500 flights and causing massive delays due to heavy snowfall.

Key Points

1Over 2,500 flights were canceled at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport across five days due to heavy snow and strong winds.
2Operational capacity was severely limited by de-icing requirements, reduced runway availability, and a reported de-icing fluid shortage.
3KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was the most affected carrier, canceling hundreds of flights daily and advising passengers not to come to the airport.
4The chaos stranded thousands of passengers and caused widespread air traffic and rail congestion across Northwest Europe.

Heavy snow and strong winds have crippled Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). The severe winter weather caused a massive, five-day operational disruption. Over 2,500 flights were canceled since Friday, January 2. This chaos turned one of Europe’s busiest hubs into the continent’s most disrupted airport. The prolonged event strained resources and stranded thousands of travelers.

Operational Challenges and Safety

The storm significantly reduced the airport’s operational capacity. Ground crews faced challenges in clearing runways and taxiways. Mandatory aircraft de-icing procedures further compounded the delays. The need for repeated de-icing cycles limited operational flexibility. Reports also indicated a critical shortage of de-icing fluid at the hub. This shortage forced airlines to drastically cut their schedules. Safety regulations, like those from EASA, require a "clean aircraft concept". This means all ice and snow must be removed before takeoff. The required checks and treatments led to planes taxiing for hours. This extended ground time created significant air traffic control congestion.

Airline and Passenger Impact

Dutch flag carrier KLM was the most heavily impacted airline. By Monday, January 5, KLM had canceled over 1,120 flights since the disruption began. Other major carriers like Air France, British Airways, and easyJet also faced hundreds of cancellations. On Wednesday, January 7, airport authorities ordered airlines to slash services by 70%. This mandate resulted in at least 600 cancellations for that day alone.

Thousands of passengers were left stranded at the airport for days.
Many travelers reported long queues and a lack of accommodation vouchers.
The disruption also impacted high-speed rail services in the region.

Industry Outlook and Mitigation

The massive schedule cuts were necessary to stabilize the network. Airlines must now manage the cascading effects across their European networks. The grounding of wide-body aircraft, including models from manufacturers like Airbus, affects long-haul routes. This event highlights the challenges of maintaining winter operations in Europe. Carriers must adhere to strict regulatory guidelines for safe flight operations. For the latest commercial aviation news, check the updates at flying.flights. The aviation industry will review these procedures for future winter preparedness.