KLM Flight Returns After Two-Hour Taxi Amid Schiphol Disruptions

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) has faced significant operational challenges in early January 2024 due to severe winter weather. The adverse conditions have severely limited flights, creating a ripple effect of delays and cancellations. A notable incident involved a KLM flight that spent two hours taxiing without taking off before returning to its gate.

Flight KL1003, an Airbus A321neo scheduled to depart for London Heathrow Airport (LHR), pushed back at 09:05 local time. Although initially experiencing only a minor delay, the aircraft found itself circling the airport twice due to congested taxiways before returning to its gate at 11:29. This situation exemplifies the broader disruptions affecting the airport, which is typically one of Europe’s busiest.

According to current airport guidance, persistent winter weather has severely impacted air traffic. “Only limited air traffic is possible to and from Schiphol,” the airport stated. Snow crews have been working continuously to keep runways operational, and aircraft are undergoing careful de-icing procedures.

KLM’s response to the ongoing weather-related issues has been significant, as the airline is the dominant operator at Schiphol, accounting for over 57.85% of scheduled departures this month, according to Cirium. Following the two-hour taxi incident, flight KL1003 was ultimately canceled, along with its return leg from London. The same aircraft, registered as PH-AXA, did not take to the skies again until 18:59 on January 5, when it operated a flight to Dublin Airport (DUB), also facing delays.

The operational disruptions have not only affected KLM. On the same day, FlightAware reported that KLM canceled 435 flights and experienced another 169 delays. In light of these challenges, KLM advised passengers that rebooking is taking longer than usual due to limited capacity and operational constraints.

KLM has also temporarily suspended its Unaccompanied Minor program until January 11 to prevent young travelers from being stranded at the airport. The airline’s efforts to manage the situation reflect the broader impact of severe winter weather on aviation operations.

The disruptions extend beyond KLM. An Emirates Airbus A380 arriving from Dubai International Airport (DXB) also experienced a lengthy delay. Flight EK147 had to wait three hours after landing before it could taxi to its designated stand, as all available gates suitable for A380s were occupied. As a result, the return flight, EK148, departed more than seven hours late after being de-iced.

With the wintry conditions expected to persist, Schiphol has warned that delays and cancellations may continue in the coming days, affecting passengers across multiple airlines. The situation serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by severe weather to global air travel and the necessity for airlines and airports to adapt to such unforeseen circumstances.