(AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) — If you’re flying through Amsterdam today, expect a drastically reduced schedule: KLM has canceled 600 flights to and from Schiphol Airport on Wednesday as a major winter storm keeps snow and strong winds in place, triggering more than 679 total cancellations at the hub.
For travelers, the immediate impact is simple. Many short-haul European flights are being cut first. Long-haul departures may still operate, but aircraft and crews are often out of position. Even flights that show “on time” can change fast as de-icing capacity and runway availability tighten.
Schiphol has been in disruption mode since early January. Heavy snow has fallen since Jan. 2, and airport-wide cancellations have stacked up over several days. Earlier peaks included 711 canceled flights on Jan. 5, and KLM alone cut about 300 flights that day. The carrier then canceled about 400 flights on Jan. 6 before today’s 600-flight reduction.
KLM said it made the Jan. 7 cuts early to give passengers clarity and to prevent people from getting stranded airside or in the city. The airline also pointed to persistent snowfall and strong southeast winds. Schiphol has warned of “very limited flights,” with European services hit hardest.
What’s canceled today at Schiphol (early Jan. 7 counts)
| Measure | Count |
|---|---|
| Total cancellations at Schiphol Airport | 679 |
| Canceled departures (AMS) | 346 |
| Canceled arrivals (AMS) | 333 |
| KLM cancellations announced for Jan. 7 | 600 |
Operational pinch points driving the disruption
This storm has exposed two classic winter choke points:
- De-icing throughput — De-icing capacity can cap departures even when runways are open.
- Aircraft rotation — If a morning inbound cancels, the afternoon outbound often disappears too.
KLM flagged critically low de-icing fluid on Jan. 6. Emergency supplies arrived early on Jan. 7, but the airline still chose large proactive cuts. That indicates staffing and aircraft locations are also significant drivers of the disruption.
The broader European network is affected as well. Eurocontrol has warned carriers to expect steep reductions. Some airlines cancel inbound flights to avoid leaving a jet overnight in Amsterdam with no gate, no crew, and no departure slot.
A few real-world examples underline how messy this gets. One KLM flight, KL1003, was canceled after two failed landing attempts. That diversion-and-cancel cycle quickly burns crew duty time and can snowball into next-day cancellations.
⚠️ Heads Up: If your flight is canceled, don’t go to Schiphol “just in case.” Lines for rebooking and hotels can be brutal during mass cancellations.
Rebooking and refund rules KLM has published for this disruption
KLM is offering change options for travelers booked in the storm window, but deadlines matter.
Don’t rush to Schiphol hoping for a last-minute miracle. Rebooking lines will be long, and overnight disruption risks can leave you stranded without a confirmed alternative or hotel.
| If you’re booked on… | What KLM is allowing | Deadline to rebook | Travel must be by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 6–12 flights (tickets issued by Jan. 6) | Rebook or refund options | Jan. 19 | Jan. 19 |
| Paris flights (CDG/ORY) through Jan. 8 | Rebook options | Jan. 15 | Based on rebooked itinerary |
KLM also operated a Boeing 787-10 shuttle to London Heathrow to move 318 stranded passengers earlier in the week. That’s a practical step when short-haul capacity is constrained, but it won’t solve the wider backlog.
What this means for miles, points, and elite status
If you’re a Flying Blue member, cancellations have mixed effects:
- If KLM cancels your flight and you’re rebooked, you’ll usually earn miles and XP based on the flown itinerary. That can be advantageous if reprotected onto a pricier fare class.
- It can be worse if you accept a partner flight that credits poorly to Flying Blue. Always check the earning table before accepting an alternate routing.
- For elite status, the bigger issue is lost segments and lost XP. A canceled European hop can be the difference between hitting a tier threshold this month or not.
- If you rebook onto another SkyTeam airline, keep your boarding passes until credit posts.
On the redemption side, weather chaos can open last-seat award space at odd times. If you have Flying Blue miles, watch for rebooked itineraries that free seats on alternate routings such as Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, or Paris. Those can appear after airlines start consolidating flights.
Competitive context: best Plan B hubs
Amsterdam is a major connecting point, but it’s not the only way across the Atlantic or around Europe. When Schiphol constricts, consider these practical alternatives:
- Paris (CDG/ORY) — KLM’s sister hub can absorb some rebookings, but it gets crowded fast.
- Frankfurt or Munich — Lufthansa Group hubs often have more winter resilience, though loads spike during disruption weeks.
- London (LHR/LGW) — Strong long-haul coverage, but slot limits and local weather can still cause issues.
- Brussels — Useful for short-haul and some long-haul alternatives, with easier ground transfers from the Netherlands.
How long could this last?
Forecasts suggest conditions may remain unstable through Jan. 12. Even if snow eases, recovery takes time:
- Aircraft need to be repositioned.
- Crews need legal rest.
- Passengers need rebooked seats.
If you’re traveling Jan. 6–12 on KLM, lock in your best alternative routing and meet the Jan. 19 rebooking deadline. Waiting for “things to normalize” can leave you with only middle seats and overnight connections.
Winter Storm Benjamin has crippled operations at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, leading to over 679 flight cancellations on Wednesday. KLM proactively cut 600 flights to manage de-icing fluid shortages and crew positioning. Travelers on European routes are hardest hit, with flexible rebooking policies in place until mid-January. Experts suggest monitoring Flying Blue mileage earning and considering alternative hubs like Paris or Brussels while the network recovers from the backlog.
