Snow and powerful crosswinds brought Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport to a near standstill on January 2, 2026, triggering widespread delays, cancellations and long queues as one of Europe’s busiest hubs struggled to keep aircraft and passengers moving at the tail end of the holiday season.

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Wintry blast hits a key European hub

A band of wintry showers moved across the Netherlands overnight into Friday, coating runways in snow and forcing Schiphol’s air traffic controllers to sharply reduce the number of takeoffs and landings per hour.

Strong and shifting winds over the low-lying polder landscape added to the disruption, complicating approaches and departures on already slick surfaces.

By mid-morning, Schiphol and Dutch media outlets were reporting more than 100 delayed flights and dozens of cancellations, with airport officials warning that knock-on effects would ripple through the schedule throughout the day.

The disruption was felt not only on flights within Europe but also on long-haul services connecting Amsterdam with North America, Asia and Africa, underlining the hub’s central role in global air traffic.

The Dutch meteorological service issued weather advisories for snow, icy conditions and strong gusts, particularly along the North Sea coast and around major transport corridors.

While accumulations in Amsterdam itself remained modest, the combination of low temperatures, blowing snow and crosswinds created an operating environment that aviation authorities described as “challenging and highly dynamic.”

Runway capacity reduced as safety takes precedence

Schiphol’s operator said the airport had been forced to limit runway use because of the winter weather, with snowplows working continuously to keep key surfaces clear while controllers spaced out arrivals and departures to maintain safety margins.

The direction and strength of the wind meant that not all runways could be used simultaneously, cutting the number of movements per hour well below normal levels.

Airport spokespersons stressed that safety considerations would always override schedule pressure. Ground handling operations, including the loading and unloading of baggage and the positioning of aircraft on gates and stands, were also slowed by gusty winds and slippery apron conditions.

At times, ramp workers had to temporarily suspend outdoor tasks when wind speeds picked up around parked aircraft.

Operators noted that even short interruptions to runway operations quickly cascaded into longer delays during such a busy travel period.

Once aircraft miss their assigned slot times, crews can run up against duty hour limits, and aircraft rotations across the network begin to unravel, leaving aircraft and staff out of position for later flights.

Airlines trim schedules and struggle with backlogs

Flag carrier KLM, which uses Schiphol as its primary hub, proactively cancelled a number of European services to create breathing room in the timetable and avoid even more severe congestion.

Low-cost carriers such as easyJet and other European airlines that operate dense shuttle schedules into Amsterdam also trimmed flights, particularly short-haul services where alternative options by rail or road were more feasible for passengers.

Airlines said they were offering rebookings free of charge for affected travelers and, where necessary, arranging hotel accommodation and meal vouchers for those facing extended overnight delays.

Even so, many passengers reported difficulties reaching customer service lines or navigating rebooking tools as call centers and digital channels came under heavy strain.

Industry analysts observed that winter capacity reductions at a major hub like Schiphol have an outsized effect because of the airport’s “wave” system, in which banks of arriving flights feed into departing connections.

Once a wave is disrupted, connecting passengers can miss onward flights in large numbers, forcing airlines to reshuffle seating across the network and adding to operational complexity well beyond the Netherlands.

Passengers face queues, uncertainty and missed connections

Inside Schiphol’s terminals, travelers arrived early to find departure boards increasingly dominated by red “delayed” or “cancelled” notices.

Lines formed quickly at airline service desks, and staff with mobile devices were dispatched into the concourses to help rebook stranded passengers on the spot where possible.

Families returning home from New Year holidays, students heading back to universities abroad and business travelers aiming to start the new year at overseas offices all reported hours-long waits and, in many cases, missed connections.

Some passengers were routed through alternative hubs such as Paris, London or Frankfurt, only to encounter weather-related bottlenecks there as well.

Rail services around Amsterdam continued to run but were not immune to winter weather slowdowns, limiting the ability of travelers to easily switch from air to train on short notice.

Those who chose to postpone their trips entirely scrambled to secure last-minute hotel rooms around the airport, where accommodation quickly filled up as the extent of the disruption became clear.

Regional knock-on effects across European networks

Because Schiphol is one of Europe’s primary transfer points, the operational slowdown quickly spilled beyond Dutch borders.

Services between Amsterdam and major cities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Scandinavia and Southern Europe all reported delays as aircraft waited for departure slots or were held in holding patterns before landing.

Travel data providers tracking real-time flight operations noted that Amsterdam ranked among the continent’s most disrupted airports on January 2, with several hundred delayed movements and cancellations recorded by late afternoon. Other northern European hubs also experienced weather-related challenges, but Schiphol’s combination of snow, strong winds and heavy post-holiday traffic placed it under particular strain.

Eurocontrol, which oversees air traffic management across much of Europe, had earlier warned of potential capacity constraints in the Benelux region and northern Germany due to the active winter weather pattern.

Airlines had been advised to anticipate ground delays and possible airborne holding, prompting some carriers to preemptively cancel frequencies on routes most likely to be affected.

Airport and authorities issue guidance to travelers

Schiphol issued multiple travel advisories throughout the day urging passengers to check the latest status of their flights before leaving home and to stay in close contact with their airline.

The airport also used its public information channels and terminal announcements to remind travelers about their rights in the event of cancellations and long delays, in line with European passenger protection rules.

Officials asked those collecting arriving passengers by car to factor in the possibility of last-minute schedule changes and to use real-time information rather than relying on printed itineraries.

Drivers were also warned about slippery access roads and reduced visibility during snow showers, particularly at peak arrival and departure times.

Ground transport operators adjusted services around the airport, with bus companies and taxi firms contending with slower traffic flows on surrounding highways.

Despite the difficult conditions, police and emergency services reported no major incidents in the Schiphol area linked directly to the airport disruption, although there were scattered reports of minor collisions on icy stretches of roadway.

Weather outlook and operational recovery

Meteorologists said the winter system responsible for Friday’s disruption was likely to bring intermittent snow and gusty winds through the afternoon and evening, with gradual improvement expected as temperatures stabilize and the heaviest showers move east.

However, aviation experts warned that schedules might remain fragile into the weekend as airlines worked through accumulated backlogs.

Schiphol’s operator indicated that it would continue to run de-icing operations as needed and keep additional personnel on duty into the night to support recovery efforts.

The airport emphasized that returning to a normal pattern of operations can take considerable time even after weather conditions improve, especially during a period of sustained high demand.

Travel organizations advised passengers with flexible plans to consider rebooking for later in the weekend or early the following week, when both weather conditions and network pressures are expected to ease.

Those who must travel were urged to build in extra time for connections and to monitor their itineraries frequently for last-minute changes.

FAQ

Q1. What exactly is causing the chaos at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport today?
Wintry weather, including snow showers and strong, shifting winds, has reduced runway capacity and slowed ground handling operations at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, leading to widespread delays and cancellations across the flight schedule.

Q2. How many flights are affected by the snow and strong winds?
By late morning on January 2, more than 100 flights had been delayed and dozens cancelled, with aviation data and local reports indicating that the number of affected services would continue to rise throughout the day as knock-on disruptions accumulate.

Q3. Are long-haul flights being cancelled or only short European routes?
While many of the cancellations involve short-haul European services, some long-haul flights have also been delayed or scrapped, particularly where aircraft and crews are out of position or where connections through Amsterdam can no longer be maintained reliably.

Q4. What are airlines like KLM and easyJet doing for stranded passengers?
Airlines are offering free rebooking onto later services where seats are available, and in many cases arranging hotel stays, meal vouchers and ground transport for those facing overnight or very long delays, although high demand means rebooking and assistance can take time.

Q5. How long is the disruption at Schiphol expected to last?
The worst weather is forecast to ease gradually later on January 2, but airlines and the airport warn that it may take into the weekend to fully clear backlogs and restore regular timetables, especially on busy connecting routes.

Q6. What should travelers do if they are flying from or to Amsterdam today?
Passengers are advised to check their flight status repeatedly before leaving for the airport, stay in close contact with their airline’s app or customer service channels, allow extra travel time, and be prepared for possible last-minute changes or extended waits in the terminal.

Q7. Are travelers entitled to compensation for delays and cancellations?
Under European passenger rights rules, travelers may be entitled to care, assistance and in some cases financial compensation, depending on the length of delay, the cause of the disruption and the specific circumstances of their flight; airlines are required to inform passengers of their rights.

Q8. Is ground transport to and from Schiphol also affected by the weather?
Roads around the airport are open but can be slow due to slippery conditions and reduced visibility, and some local public transport services are experiencing minor delays, so passengers should plan extra time and check local travel updates.

Q9. Can passengers reroute through other European airports to avoid Amsterdam?
Some travelers are being rebooked via alternative hubs such as Paris, London or Frankfurt, but capacity is limited during the busy holiday period and those airports are also facing weather-related pressures, so options may be restricted and additional delays remain possible.

Q10. What practical steps can travelers take to improve their chances of a smoother journey?
Experts recommend traveling with carry-on luggage only if possible, ensuring airline contact details and apps are set up in advance, arriving earlier than usual, keeping essential items such as medication and chargers in hand baggage, and maintaining flexible plans in case of significant schedule changes.