KLM warns of de-icing shortages at Schiphol
KLM has warned that Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is close to running out of de-icing fluid after several days of freezing temperatures. The airline described the situation as exceptional, with more than 1,000 travelers forced to spend the night inside the airport.
Temporary sleeping areas have been set up both before and after security checks, with food and drinks provided to stranded passengers. KLM cautioned that the disruption is likely to have knock-on effects, with further delays and cancellations possible in the coming days.
Air and rail networks hit across Europe
The severe winter conditions have disrupted travel well beyond the Netherlands. In Paris, more than 100 flights were cancelled at Charles de Gaulle airport, while dozens more were grounded at Orly. Delays and cancellations were also reported at major hubs including Heathrow and Brussels.
Rail travel has been affected as well, with several Eurostar services between London and Paris either delayed or cancelled, adding to the strain on cross-border transport.
Snow and ice grip France
Almost half of mainland France has been placed on alert for heavy snow and black ice. In some regions, lorries have been banned from the roads to reduce the risk of accidents. Authorities reported that five people died earlier this week in two separate regions due to dangerous driving conditions.
Despite the disruption, some travelers expressed resignation. Drivers stranded at roadside stations said remaining put was safer than attempting to travel on icy roads.
Human impact and rare winter scenes
The cold snap has had a severe human impact beyond transport. In Bosnia’s capital, Sarajevo, a woman died after heavy snowfall buried the city. In Paris, vulnerable people sleeping outdoors described the cold as relentless and exhausting.
At the same time, the rare sight of snow blanketing the French capital drew crowds to landmarks such as Montmartre and the Champ de Mars, where residents and tourists alike embraced the unusual winter scenery.
