A sudden winter attack in the Netherlands has led to the cancellation of at least 170 flights at one of Europe's largest airports, Amsterdam's Schiphol. Intense snowfall and strong winds forced airlines, primarily the national carrier KLM, to cancel connections planned for the evening hours. A second-level meteorological warning is in effect nationwide due to difficult weather conditions.
Mass Flight Cancellations
Due to snowfall and wind, 170 flights were cancelled at Schiphol Airport on Sunday.
National Carrier Most Affected
The airline KLM accounts for nearly 150 of all connections cancelled that day.
Second-Level Weather Alert
The KNMI agency announced a second-level warning for the entire Netherlands, forecasting further white powder snowfall.
A winter attack in the Netherlands caused serious disruptions to air transport on Sunday. The authorities of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol announced the necessity to cancel 170 flights, of which nearly 150 were operated by KLM. This decision was based on forecasts from the Dutch meteorological institute KNMI, which warned of snowfall reaching 3 to 5 centimetres and gusty winds. The cancellations mainly concerned flights scheduled between 5:00 PM and midnight. The airport management emphasized that the priority remains passenger and staff safety, which requires precise snow clearing of runways and taxiways. Schiphol Airport, opened in 1916 as a military base, is now one of the most important transit hubs in Europe, handling tens of millions of passengers annually from around the world. The weather situation forced airport services to initiate aircraft de-icing procedures, which, combined with limited visibility, significantly reduced the operational capacity of the facility. The Dutch weather agency announced a second-level warning on a four-level scale, indicating a front moving from the south into the country. Meteorologists predict that dangerous frosts may occur after the snowfall ceases, complicating the situation on the roads. Representatives of KLM appealed to passengers to check their flight status regularly and assured that they are making every effort to minimize the negative effects of the weather. According to media reports, airlines independently decided which specific connections to cancel, trying to preserve those of key importance. Although 3-5 centimetres of snow may seem small, for a major port like Schiphol, it poses a logistical challenge requiring the coordination of hundreds of aircraft and ground personnel. Public transport around Amsterdam also felt the impact of the winter strike, further complicating logistics for travellers trying to reach the airport. KLM: 150, Other airlines: 20 170 — flights cancelled due to winter attack Course of meteorological events: 15 February, 15:30 — First announcements; 15 February, 16:30 — Alert announcement; 15 February, 17:00 — Beginning of paralysis; 15 February, 19:45 — Front shift
The media emphasize the chaos and inconvenience for thousands of passengers, focusing on the emotional aspect of stranded people. | Experts point to the necessity of rigorously following safety procedures, even at the cost of air traffic fluidity.