Flight operations across Europe are experiencing significant disruption today, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as a severe winter “cold snap” and the onset of Storm Goretti paralyze major hubs. According to real-time data from Flightradar24 and official transport ministries, thousands of passengers are facing cancellations and delays.
Disruption Snapshot: January 7, 2026
- Paris (CDG & Orly): Authorities ordered a mandatory 40% reduction in flight schedules. As of Wednesday morning, approximately 100 flights at Charles de Gaulle and 40 flights at Orly have been officially scrapped.
- Amsterdam (Schiphol): Remains the hardest-hit hub in Northern Europe. After five days of snowfall, KLM alone is expected to cancel approximately 600 flights today (92% of its scheduled operations) due to a critical shortage of de-icing fluid. Total cancellations at Schiphol have exceeded 2,400 since the storm began.
- United Kingdom: Widespread delays and hundreds of cancellations are reported at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted, primarily affecting routes to Amsterdam and northern domestic destinations (Aberdeen, Edinburgh). Liverpool John Lennon Airport has suspended several operations due to snow-covered runways.
- Other Hubs: Brussels Airport is reporting delays of 30–45 minutes due to intensive de-icing, while Dublin Airport has cancelled at least eight return flights to European destinations.
Primary Reasons for Disruption
- Extreme Weather: Heavy snowfall and black ice are affecting 38 departments in France and much of the UK and Benelux regions.
- De-icing Fluid Shortage: Sustained sub-freezing temperatures have depleted stocks of de-icing fluid across Europe. KLM has resorted to importing fluid by truck from Germany to keep a skeleton service operational.
- Runway Maintenance: Ground crews are working 24/7, but the rate of snowfall is exceeding clearing capacity at many secondary airports.
- Network Ripple Effects: With massive “zero rate” restrictions in place at major hubs like Paris and Amsterdam, the European aviation network is seeing massive delays as aircraft are held at their points of origin to prevent overcrowding.
Traveler Advice & Forecast
- Do Not Travel Unnecessarily: If your flight is confirmed as cancelled, airlines are urging passengers not to come to the airport. Services like terminals and baggage halls are currently overcrowded.
- Verify Flight Status: Use the Flightradar24 Airport Disruption Map or your airline’s app for the most current data. Do not rely on third-party schedules.
- Check Railway Alternatives: Note that Eurostar and domestic rail services in the Netherlands and France are also facing severe delays or suspensions due to icy tracks and IT outages.
- Forecast: Conditions are expected to remain volatile through Thursday, January 8, as Storm Goretti moves into southern England and northern France, likely bringing further gale-force winds and snow.
Passenger Rights: Under EU (EC 261/2004) and UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a refund or rebooking on the next available flight. However, since weather is an “extraordinary circumstance,” additional cash compensation is typically not required, though airlines must provide “duty of care” (food and hotel) if you are stranded overnight.
