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.
Ruud Stegers, president of the Dutch Pilots’ Association (VNV), stated: “Environmental regulations get in the way. If we could treat planes from ice at the gates, it would significantly ease the situation, but this is prohibited.”
Since 2012, anti-icing treatment at Schiphol has been permitted only at a special site near the Zvanenburg runway, where glycol is collected to prevent environmental damage. In contrast, airports such as Frankfurt and Zurich conduct these operations directly next to runways, enabling immediate departures.
As a result, Schiphol has become one of the world leaders in flight delays and cancellations over recent days.
