Travellers flying via Amsterdam face widespread disruption this week as severe winter weather continues to batter the Netherlands, forcing mass cancellations at Schiphol Airport.
Nearly half of all scheduled flights were grounded on Tuesday after a combination of snow, ice and supply shortages pushed operations to the brink.
The disruption follows a technical malfunction that brought train services across the Netherlands to a near standstill, compounding travel problems on roads and at the country’s main international airport. Dutch flag carrier KLM has also been hit by a shortage of aircraft de-icing fluid at Schiphol, leading to further cancellations as safety concerns mount.
Flights cancelled as winter weather bites
On Tuesday alone, 543 flights were cancelled at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, accounting for around 45 percent of all departures and arrivals. The scale of disruption follows a difficult Monday, when approximately 700 flights were already scrapped as snow and icy conditions worsened across the country.
Schiphol Airport, located about 10 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam’s city centre, is struggling to keep operations running safely amid extreme winter conditions. Alongside snow-covered runways and reduced visibility, supply chains critical to airport operations have been disrupted by the weather.
The Dutch airline KLM cancelled its five flights scheduled for Tuesday between Düsseldorf and Amsterdam. Furthermore, two KLM flights bound for Amsterdam were already diverted to Düsseldorf on Monday due to weather conditions.
One of the most pressing challenges is the shortage of de-icing fluid required to clear aircraft of ice and snow before take-off. Due to delayed deliveries, supplies at Schiphol have become dangerously low, prompting KLM to source additional de-icing fluid directly from Germany to keep some flights operating.
Without adequate de-icing supplies, airlines cannot safely prepare aircraft for departure, significantly limiting the number of flights they can operate. The shortage has added to the strain on already reduced schedules, leaving thousands of passengers facing delays, rebookings, or cancellations.
More disruption is likely in the coming days
The outlook for travellers remains uncertain, with forecasters warning that severe winter weather is far from over. Meteorologists predict extreme conditions across northern Germany in the coming days, including heavy snowfall, drifting snow, and freezing rain, which could further disrupt supply routes feeding Dutch airports.
Hurricane-force gusts are also expected in higher mountain regions. Meanwhile, the German Weather Service has issued severe weather warnings and has not ruled out declaring the highest red alert level. Such conditions could continue to affect deliveries of critical airport supplies, including de-icing fluids.
In the Netherlands, the national weather service KNMI is warning of persistently cold and snowy conditions, with temperatures forecast to range between -8 and +6 degrees Celsius. Some areas may experience severe frost and icy roads, further complicating operations for both air and ground transport.
Authorities are urging travellers to prepare for unpredictable conditions, allow extra time for journeys, and check flight and transport updates regularly. For those planning to fly via Amsterdam in the coming days, flexibility may be essential as winter weather continues to test Europe’s travel infrastructure.
Check the Schiphol Airport’s website for the latest update.
