700 Flights Grounded at Schiphol: Western Europe Winter Freeze Travel Disruption 2026

More than 700 flights just disappeared from the boards in a single day. A brutal cold snap, bringing heavy snowfall and ice, has effectively paralyzed transport networks across Western Europe, leaving thousands of travelers stranded.

Western Europe Winter Freeze Travel Disruption Spreads Across Hubs

According to Reuters, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, a vital regional artery, cancelled over 700 flights on Wednesday. KLM spokesperson Stephan Donker described the situation as "exceptional," revealing that the airport was nearly running out of de-icing fluid after days of freezing temperatures. More than 1,000 people were forced to spend the night at the terminal on makeshift beds.

The chaos didn't stop in the Netherlands. In Paris, Charles de Gaulle saw over 100 cancellations, while aviation authorities demanded airlines slash their schedules by 40%. Ground transport wasn't spared either; Eurostar services between London and Paris suffered significant delays, and heavy lorries were banned from roads in several French regions due to black ice.

Human Toll and Stark Contrasts

Tragedy has followed the freezing temperatures. At least six people have died in weather-related incidents this week—five in France and one in Bosnia. In Sarajevo, a woman was killed after the city was buried under 40cm (16in) of snow.

Despite the danger, some found joy in the rare snowfall. Tourists and residents were seen skiing down the slopes of Montmartre and across the Champs de Mars near the Eiffel Tower. However, for those without shelter, like 19-year-old Boubacar Camara living in a tent on the outskirts of Paris, the cold is a life-threatening struggle he's "not used to at all."