Schiphol and KLM Reset Winter Plans After Snow Chaos

Schiphol Airport and KLM are changing their winter preparation after serious disruption in early January. Snow arrived earlier than expected and lasted longer, affecting operations across the airport. Oliver Wyman reviewed what happened, looking at how the disruption developed and why both airport systems and airline operations came under such pressure.

The review points to issues with timing and capacity. Snow increased the need for aircraft de-icing and slowed turnaround times. At the same time, flight numbers were not reduced quickly enough. Decisions to cut operations came too late, which led to delays and cancellations, with queues growing as people waited to continue their journeys.

Schiphol and KLM said the disruption affected not only passengers but also staff and wider airport services. Both sides accepted that earlier action and closer coordination are needed when weather conditions worsen. The review makes clear that the issue was not a single failure, but several factors happening at the same time.

What will change before winter

• Joint winter readiness plan between Schiphol and KLM
• More direct updates for passengers during disruption
• Increased aircraft de-icing capacity
• Coordination with other airport partners

These steps aim to keep operations moving during heavy snow. Decisions taken sooner could help avoid delays. More de-icing capacity may reduce queues on the ground. More direct updates should make it easier to understand what is happening, without waiting for last-minute announcements.

Severe winter weather will still affect flights when conditions worsen. The key point is how quickly the situation is managed and how clearly information is shared. Fewer sudden cancellations and shorter waiting times will depend on how early these measures are applied when the next cold spell arrives.