Marketplace Morning Report Thousands stranded amid flight cancellations in Amsterdam
Jan 7, 2026
Itica de Jong, an aviation reporter for De Telegraaf, discusses the chaos at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, with over 700 flights canceled due to severe weather and de-icing fluid shortages. She highlights the challenges faced by KLM and the extensive logistics of returning stranded passengers. Joe Leahy, the Beijing correspondent for the Financial Times, explores the geopolitical tensions surrounding U.S. actions on Venezuelan oil and how it affects China's energy strategies, raising alarms about potential economic fallout.
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Airport Systems Built For Short Disruptions
- Schiphol's operations collapsed because de-icing capacity and supplies were designed for only short snow spells.
- Prolonged cold exposed brittle logistics and cascading cancellations that stranded thousands.
Transfer Hub Disruptions Multiply Impact
- Schiphol functions as a major transfer hub so flight cancellations cascade widely through connecting itineraries.
- High transfer volume multiplies the number of stranded passengers when disruptions persist.
KLM Ran Out Of De-Icing Fluid
- KLM ran out of the de-icing liquid after five days and had to source more from Germany overnight.
- Staff only recently retrieved 600 stored beds to accommodate stranded passengers at the airport.