'Expect delays': Schiphol airport chaos after storm grounds 135 flights

11.12.2024 - 00:33 / euronews.com / Jennifer Marsden

Schiphol Airport has advised passengers to prepare for delays and cancellations, due to ongoing weather conditions and severe winds caused by storm Darragh.

So far, 135 flights have been cancelled today (Friday) after severe winds grounded planes, and a further 275 flights have been delayed, according to FlightAware.

More flight cancellations could be expected during the afternoon and evening, depending on how the weather develops.

Dutch airline KLM, which operates more planes from the Schiphol airport than anywhere else, has already cancelled more than 90 flights.

Other major airlines have also had to cancel flights including, Vueling Airlines, British Airways, Air France, Finnair, Lufthansa, and Delta, which makes up about 15 per cent of today's flights from the Amsterdam airport.

The airport's website currently shows most upcoming departures and arrivals as either cancelled or delayed by at least one hour and the airport says to "take delays and cancellations into account".

Passengers were already bracing for delays yesterday evening, and the airport says that terminals are currently not busy.

Even if your flight is scheduled to depart or land, you may have difficulties reaching the airport as the storm is affecting roads and rail networks too.

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute warns of debris blown around and fallen trees, caused by strong wind gusts of 75-90 km/h.

To reach the airport, you can also expect detours due to a junction on the A10 south motorway being closed until Monday morning. Drivers are advised to plan extra time.

Storm Darragh is also expected to hit Britain later today: the UK's MET Office has just upgraded from an amber to a rare red 'risk to life' warning with expected strong winds to hit the southwest of England and Wales between 15:00 GMT on Friday until early on Sunday.

The last time a red warning was issued was in January with Storm Isha, which wreaked havoc across the northern half of the UK and left tens of thousands without power.

The Met Office says to expect roads, bridges and railway lines to be closed in this region, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights. There's also a good chance some communities will be cut off by flooded roads.

Other areas of the UK continue to be on yellow and amber warnings as snow, torrential rain and heavy winds are expected throughout the weekend. People are especially advised to avoid exposed coastal areas.

The British low-cost airline Jet2.com also warns that, "There may be some disruption should the weather deteriorate" over the next four days and advises that all customers allow extra time to travel to the airport and check in as scheduled.

Travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events,