Snow in the Netherlands disrupts train services and cancels flights at Schiphol Airport
The Netherlands experienced a complete standstill in its transport sector on Tuesday, as a result of a severe cold wave and heavy snow and ice, leading to a complete halt in train traffic and the cancellation of hundreds of flights at one of the busiest airports in Europe.
Rail traffic has stopped completely
The Dutch railway company NS announced in an official statement that train services have been completely suspended across the country. The company explained that no trains will be able to run until at least 9:00 AM GMT, attributing the disruption to technical and logistical problems caused by heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. These conditions typically freeze track switches and switches, and cause ice to accumulate on overhead power lines.
Crisis at Schiphol Airport and cancellation of KLM flights
The impact of the bad weather was not limited to road and rail transport, but extended to air traffic as well. At Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, a major air transport hub in Europe, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was forced to cancel at least 300 scheduled flights on Tuesday.
This measure is a precaution to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft, as de-icing aircraft takes longer and ground operations are more difficult on snow-covered runways. This marks the fifth consecutive day that severe winter weather has disrupted air traffic and caused chaos in travel schedules.
Regional and international impact of the crisis
This event is particularly significant given the Netherlands' strategic location as a gateway to Europe. Schiphol Airport is not just a final destination, but a vital transit point for millions of travelers worldwide. Therefore, the cancellation of such a large number of flights has a domino effect, causing delays and missed connecting flights for passengers traveling to other destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Dutch authorities have also urged citizens and travelers to exercise extreme caution and follow continuous updates from transport companies before heading to stations or airports, amid expectations that the cold wave will continue to affect transport infrastructure in the coming hours.
