Published on
January 4, 2026
A powerful snowstorm has caused 344 flight cancellations and 55 delays at Amsterdam Schiphol, severely disrupting travel across the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, UK, Luxembourg, and Spain. The storm’s heavy snow, poor visibility, and extreme conditions forced airlines like KLM, Lufthansa, Iberia, and others to cancel and delay numerous flights, stranding passengers and causing major delays in both domestic and international travel.
A severe snowstorm has brought significant disruptions to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, one of Europe’s busiest international hubs, leading to widespread travel chaos for passengers. The snowstorm has caused 344 flight cancellations and delayed 55 flights, affecting travelers across the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, UK, and Spain. Major airlines such as KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, Iberia, and Air Baltic are among those severely impacted, stranding thousands of passengers and causing a ripple effect across international and domestic routes.
The snowstorm has not only affected passengers traveling to and from Amsterdam but has also disrupted operations in multiple European countries. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, known for its strategic location and high passenger traffic, has become the epicenter of a large-scale travel disruption. Here’s a detailed look at the scale of the snowstorm’s impact and the resulting cancellations and delays.
Snowstorm Disrupts European Travel: Key DetailsDate of the Event: The snowstorm hit Amsterdam Schiphol on a major travel day, causing havoc with both early-morning and evening flights.Affected Countries: Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, UK, and Spain.Airlines Impacted: KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Iberia, Air Baltic, and several others.Total Cancellations: 344 flights.Total Delays: 55 flights.
This weather event comes at a time when travel demand is high, and the holiday season has added to the strain. Passengers faced long delays in airport terminals, with many flights rescheduled or canceled, leaving them scrambling for alternate travel options.
Airlines Affected by the Snowstorm
Several airlines have been hit particularly hard by the snowstorm, with KLM taking the brunt of the cancellations. The Dutch carrier, KLM, which operates a large number of flights from Schiphol, accounted for a significant percentage of the affected flights. Other major European carriers, including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, were also impacted.
The full details of the flight cancellations and the affected airlines are outlined below:
AirlineCancellations (#)Delays (#)KLM25318easyJet1511German Airways145Air France140British Airways92KLM Cityhopper70HOP!40Vueling Airlines32Air Baltic30Iberia30Delta Air Lines33Pegasus Airlines30Lufthansa21Aer Lingus20Turkish Airlines21Helvetic20Austrian Airlines10Lufthansa Cityline10Cityjet10Swiss10SAS10Etihad Airways01Finnair01ITA Airways01Kenya Airways01TAROM01Saudia01SunExpress01Air Europa01Aegean Airlines01Air India01Croatia Airlines01Air Dolomiti01Cancellations and Delays: Affected Routes
The snowstorm did not just ground flights but also affected key international and domestic routes, stranding passengers from various countries. The following table lists some of the most significant canceled flights and the affected destinations:Flight IDAircraft TypeDestinationScheduled DepartureDAL9903A333Hartsfield-Jackson Intl (KATL)Mon 10:00AM CETKLM1145A21NDublin Int’l (DUB / EIDW)Sun 09:35PM CETKLM1339E75LCopernicus Wrocław (WRO / EPWR)Sun 09:30PM CETKLM1319B738Warsaw Frederic Chopin (WAW / EPWA)Sun 09:30PM CETBAW447A20NLondon Heathrow (LHR / EGLL)Sun 09:30PM CETKLM967E75LTeesside Int’l (MME / EGNV)Sun 09:25PM CETKLM1715E75LLuxembourg Int’l (LUX / ELLX)Sun 09:25PM CETKLM1939B738Geneva Cointrin Int’l (GVA / LSGG)Sun 09:20PM CETKLM975E75LHumberside (HUY / EGNJ)Sun 09:20PM CETKLM1619B738Linate (LIN / LIML)Sun 09:20PM CET
These cancellations are just a small part of the overall disruptions, with many other flights also affected.
Why Is This Happening?
A combination of severe weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, low visibility, and strong winds, caused the major disruptions at Amsterdam Schiphol. Schiphol, a crucial hub for international travelers, could not maintain its usual operational capacity due to the adverse weather conditions.
Airports around the world are well-equipped to handle adverse weather, but the intensity of this storm surpassed expectations, forcing many airlines to cancel or delay flights to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The snowstorm’s effects were not isolated to Schiphol; other European airports, particularly in the UK, Germany, and Spain, also saw a ripple effect in terms of delays and cancellations.
Travel Advice for Affected Passengers
For those planning to travel through Amsterdam Schiphol in the coming days, it is crucial to stay updated on flight statuses, as the recovery from this disruption could take a while. Here are some tips for affected travelers:
Check Flight Status Regularly: Always check the flight status with your airline before heading to the airport. Many airlines will send out real-time updates via email or their apps.Arrive Early: With the snowstorm causing ongoing disruptions, passengers should expect long queues at check-in counters and security.Look for Alternate Routes: If possible, check for alternative routes or connecting flights to your destination to minimize further delays.Stay Calm and Patient: A large-scale weather event like this can cause confusion and frustration. Patience is key as airlines and airports work to clear the backlog.Impact on the Airlines
The snowstorm has undoubtedly had a major financial and logistical impact on the affected airlines. KLM, as the largest operator at Schiphol, has been particularly affected, with the airline suffering from a substantial number of cancellations and delays. As the weather improves, airlines like KLM, Lufthansa, and British Airways will likely take days, if not longer, to restore their regular flight schedules.
For international travelers, many of these delays are tied to the operational efficiency of these airlines, which will need to rework their schedules and prioritize which flights to rebook.
The snowstorm at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has led to massive disruptions across multiple countries, with 344 cancellations and 55 delays affecting travelers in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, UK, and Spain. Major airlines, including KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, and Iberia, have been forced to ground flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
As weather conditions improve, airlines and airports are working tirelessly to recover from this event, but travelers should remain prepared for ongoing disruptions and delays. For anyone planning to travel from Schiphol, it’s essential to keep checking with airlines for the latest updates and follow the advice provided for managing the storm’s aftermath.
A severe snowstorm at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has led to 344 flight cancellations and 55 delays, affecting travel across multiple European countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, UK, Luxembourg, and Spain. The harsh weather conditions, including heavy snow and low visibility, caused major disruptions for airlines like KLM, Lufthansa, and Iberia.
With winter travel season in full swing, it’s clear that airports and airlines need to continue refining their plans for dealing with extreme weather to ensure the smoothest possible experience for travelers.
