Severe Cold Weather Disrupts Air Travel Across Western Europe

Extreme Weather Phenomena Causes Transportation Issues

A spell of extremely cold weather, accompanied by heavy snowfall and ice, has caused significant disruptions in transport across Western Europe. Hundreds of flights have been canceled at various airports, and Eurostar services as well as freight transport have also been affected.

At Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, a major regional transport hub, over 700 flights were canceled on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the French civil aviation authority has instructed airlines to reduce scheduled flights by 40% at Paris' main international airport. At least six people have died in weather-related incidents across Europe this week—five in France and one in Bosnia.

The Dutch national airline KLM has warned that Schiphol Airport is nearing depletion of anti-freeze fluid after days of extreme conditions. Representative Stephan Donker told Reuters that it is an "exceptional situation" at the Dutch airport, where more than 1,000 travelers spent the night. Several hundred beds were set up before and after security checks, and food and drink supplies have also been provided.

The epicenter of the chaos has also shifted toward Paris, where over 100 flights were canceled at Charles de Gaulle Airport and 40 at Orly. Dozens of flights have been delayed or canceled at Heathrow and Brussels airports. Certain Eurostar rail services between London and Paris have experienced delays or cancellations on Wednesday.

Almost half of France is on alert due to snow and ice, with trucks banned on roads in some areas. "It’s better to be here than stuck on the road," said driver Carle Bruno at a service station on the edge of the port of Le Havre. Five individuals have died in two separate regions of France this week due to hazardous driving conditions, and a woman was killed in the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, after 40 cm of snow fell on the city.

In Paris, young Guinean Boubacar Camara, who was sleeping in a tent on the outskirts of the city, stated he has "no other option but to carry on." "You just have to stay strong and make sure you don’t die," said the 19-year-old. "We can’t do anything about the cold. I'm not used to this at all." The rare sight of the French capital covered in snow has attracted both locals and tourists, who have taken to skiing on the slopes of Montmartre and through the gardens of Champs de Mars near the Eiffel Tower. "It’s exceptional, it’s incredible," stated Pierre, a Parisian. "It’s magnificent, and we are enjoying it. I’ve met many tourists, and they look so happy."