Passengers flying in and out of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport were warned Friday of worsening travel disruptions as snow and strong winds battered the region, prompting dozens of flight cancellations and hundreds of delays.
Airport officials and the European air traffic organization Eurocontrol cautioned travelers that flights may continue to be affected throughout the day due to wintry conditions and high winds that have already hampered operations since the morning. Several airlines have announced cancellations and lengthy delays as crews contend with slippery runways and difficult crosswind conditions.
By late morning, more than 100 flights had been delayed and dozens canceled, according to aviation reports and statements from the airport. The disruptions have affected both regional and long-haul services, with knock-on effects expected across European airports.
The Dutch national weather service has issued a yellow warning for snow and icy conditions across Noord-Holland, which includes Amsterdam, into the weekend. Snow showers and temperatures near freezing have made taxiways and runways slick, complicating landings and takeoffs.
Wind gusts have reached speeds that pose additional challenges to safe flight operations, particularly for aircraft attempting to land or depart. Eurocontrol warned that arriving flights could face moderate to high delays due to strong crosswinds.
Travelers should anticipate continued wintery conditions and plan for slow traffic on surrounding roads as surfaces remain slippery.
Schiphol officials urged passengers to check the latest flight status with their airlines before heading to the airport and to allow extra time for travel amid the hazardous conditions.