Snow chaos at Schiphol Airport: Watch as ground staff trade tasks for 'building snowman'

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, one of Europe's busiest hubs, is experiencing extreme winter weather chaos, with hundreds of flights cancelled due to snow and freezing temperatures. The airport's ground staff, however, is making the best of the situation, as viral videos show them building a snowman beside an aircraft and engaging in a playful snow fight.

How cold is in Amsterdam Schiphol airport? Snow Man Building level cold pic.twitter.com/aL1rHHl3gg

— Air Safety #OTD by Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters) January 6, 2026

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A post shared by Pete Hutchison (@petetheirishpilot)

"Been stuck here for two days due to the weather and still waiting to depart today," an Instagram user wrote. Another reacted, "It's fun and games until ice get ingested by a jet engine!"

Over 2,700 flights have been cancelled since January 2, affecting more than 3,50,000 passengers. On January 7, 675 flights were cancelled, accounting for 59% of scheduled departures and arrivals. The airport has warned of more cancellations, citing limited air traffic and a shortage of de-icing fluid.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the airport's largest operator, has cancelled hundreds of flights, blaming the shortage of de-icing fluid on logistical challenges. British Airways and easyJet are also among the impacted airlines.