(AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) Amsterdam Schiphol cancelled nearly 200 flights on Thursday as strong winds from Storm Benjamin swept across the Netherlands, prompting a national weather alert and widespread travel disruption from mid-afternoon into the evening.
Airport data showed at least 91 departures and about 125 arrivals scrapped on October 23, 2025, with the bulk of cancellations affecting KLM’s European network after 3 p.m. Local officials warned the worst conditions were expected after 18:00 local time, and airlines cautioned that more delays and cancellations could follow as winds continued to build.
Weather warning and immediate impacts
The Dutch meteorological service issued Code Orange for the western coastal provinces, forecasting wind gusts up to 120 km/h. Those warnings cover the areas most exposed to North Sea winds and often lead to pre-emptive cuts in air and rail service to reduce risk.
Amsterdam Schiphol urged travelers to check the airport website or their airline before leaving home, and to expect longer lines at customer service desks as passengers seek rebooking options. With Storm Benjamin passing across the country from the afternoon onward, flight operations became uneven and turnaround times lengthened as ground crews worked in difficult conditions.
Airline responses and passenger options
KLM cancelled dozens of flights and told customers to expect delays across its schedule. While the airline continued some operations during gaps between stronger gusts, crews prioritized safety checks and tried to keep a core network moving. The carrier’s customer communications highlighted that rebooking remains available on affected tickets, in line with standard disruption policies.
VisaVerge.com reports that airlines often offer:
- Rebooking
- Travel vouchers
- Refunds
in weather-related cases, and that travelers should use official channels rather than third‑party sites to avoid extra fees or delays in processing changes.
Rail, road and other public transport effects
Rail and other public transport also scaled back, with reduced train schedules and warnings of further disruptions into the night. Shuttle services and intercity connections faced intermittent suspensions on wind-exposed lines.
- People heading to Schiphol by train were told to leave extra time for transfers and to keep backup routes in mind.
- Buses serving the airport ran, but some routes moved slower due to blocked roads and speed limits for high‑sided vehicles during gusty periods.
Disruptions at Amsterdam Schiphol
The airport’s operations center moved to a conservative plan early in the afternoon, trimming movements to match safe runway capacity during crosswinds. That set up a wave of cancellations before the evening peak, which normally brings short‑haul arrivals feeding late connections.
With most cuts hitting KLM’s European flights after 3 p.m., knock-on effects spread to regional airports linked to Amsterdam. Delayed flights that did depart often left with tighter baggage and boarding cutoffs to avoid further gaps in the schedule.
Airlines reminded passengers that seat availability on later flights remains limited when many services are cancelled at once. Customer teams prioritized same‑day rebooking for those trying to connect to long‑haul flights, including routes that depend on Amsterdam Schiphol’s hub structure.
People already at the airport were advised to:
- Stay close to their gates
- Monitor screens
- Watch for terminal announcements
Some flights could still depart if windows of calmer wind appeared.
Airport safety protocols require pauses on ramp work when gusts cross defined limits. Those pauses—on refueling, catering and baggage handling—stack up and make evening recovery harder, especially when towers increase spacing between aircraft.
What travelers should do tonight
- Check your flight status directly with your airline or on the Amsterdam Schiphol website before leaving for the airport.
- If your flight shows cancelled, use your airline’s app or website first. Phone lines and airport desks may face long waits.
- Keep receipts for reasonable expenses if you’re told to stay overnight; your airline will guide you on what it can cover under disruption policies.
- Plan extra time for public transport. Trains and buses may run less often or stop without much notice.
- Pack patience. Safety checks and ramp pauses are normal during Code Orange events and can add time to every step.
KLM and other carriers said they would continue to adjust schedules as conditions change. The goal is to avoid last‑minute cancellations by planning cuts earlier, which makes it easier to rebook passengers.
- Travelers with flexible plans were encouraged to shift to Friday or beyond.
- If you hold separate tickets on different airlines, make sure both flights are confirmed—a missed first leg can affect onward travel.
Looking ahead to Friday
Forecasters said the storm should ease gradually through Friday, with lingering effects in the northern Wadden Islands region. That could still slow the morning restart if aircraft and crews aren’t in the right places overnight.
- Early Friday flights may depart late while airlines rebuild rotations.
- Some routes could see aircraft changes.
- Travelers booked on Friday morning services should keep watching for updates, even if their Thursday flight wasn’t cancelled.
Airport teams and airlines planned overnight inspections of equipment and airfield areas exposed to the strongest gusts. These routine checks after a Code Orange episode confirm gates, boarding bridges, and service roads are safe for normal use. If inspections take longer, departures could push later than scheduled.
For those rebooking, many airlines allow online changes at no extra cost during weather events. Choose the first workable option, then ask about alternatives if your plans are complex. Keep a close eye on email or app notifications; rebooked flights sometimes shift again as schedules stabilize.
If you need written proof that your flight was cancelled, airlines can provide disruption notices through their customer channels.
Official warnings and airport updates
People following national weather guidance can find the latest warnings on the KNMI system for color‑coded alerts across the Netherlands. The Code Orange status helps transport operators set safety thresholds and plan staff coverage.
For current official warnings and maps, see the KNMI national weather warnings. Amsterdam Schiphol said it would keep updates flowing throughout the evening if the storm track or wind speeds change.
At the terminals
Passengers reported long but steady lines at service counters, with staff moving through queues to help with simple changes on the spot. Customer teams focused first on:
- Travelers with medical needs
- Families with small children
- Passengers on the last flights of the day
Food and drink outlets stayed open later than usual in some concourses to support stranded travelers as Storm Benjamin pushed through.
Final takeaway
The combination of high winds, crew duty limits, and ground safety rules made a rapid recovery unlikely before late evening. With nearly 200 cancellations already filed, the wider European network felt the strain. While the storm is expected to pass, its ripple effects will be felt into Friday’s first wave.
For now, the clearest advice remains:
- Monitor official channels
- Rebook as soon as options appear
- Allow extra time to move around the city as public transport runs with reduced frequency
Storm Benjamin shows how quickly a Code Orange day can reshape travel plans, even at one of Europe’s busiest hubs, and why checking status before you leave for the airport can save hours of waiting once you arrive.
This Article in a Nutshell
On October 23, 2025, Amsterdam Schiphol canceled nearly 200 flights as Storm Benjamin drove Code Orange wind warnings across the western Netherlands, with gusts up to 120 km/h. Airport operations trimmed runway movements after 15:00, hitting KLM’s European network hardest—about 91 departures and 125 arrivals were canceled. Rail and road services ran reduced schedules, and ramp pauses for safety checks compounded delays. Passengers were advised to check flight status, rebook via official airline channels, keep expense receipts, and expect residual disruption into Friday while airlines rebuild rotations and inspect equipment.
