KLM confirmed it will cancel about 600 flights on 7 January after five days of weather-induced disruption depleted de-icing fluid stocks and maxed out crew-duty limits at Schiphol. The carrier said it is dispatching tankers to Germany to collect additional glycol but cannot guarantee normal operations before the weekend.([loyaltylobby.com](https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/01/06/klms-operational-meltdown-continues-day-5-600-wednesday-flights-cancelled-january-7-2026/?utm_source=openai))
Amsterdam is a top transfer point for Swiss-bound passengers—especially to Basel, Zurich and Geneva on KLM-codeshare partner SWISS. Travel-management companies report that economy-class inventory on remaining flights to Switzerland sold out within hours, pushing last-minute fares above CHF 900 one-way. Several multinationals have authorised rail-air combinations via Brussels or Cologne to keep assignees moving.
![KLM’s de-icing fluid shortage triggers 600 flight cancellations—Swiss itineraries among the casualties]()
For travellers suddenly rerouting through unfamiliar hubs, quick clarity on transit and entry formalities is essential. VisaHQ can fast-track visa checks or applications for Switzerland and neighbouring countries in minutes, helping companies keep people moving despite the chaos. Their online portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) consolidates requirements, fees and processing times in one place, reducing the risk of a last-second paperwork snag.
KLM’s meltdown also affects cargo. Forwarders say high-value Swiss pharmaceuticals routed via KLM Cargo’s cool-chain facilities are being diverted to Frankfurt and Liège, stretching already tight temperature-controlled capacity during the peak vaccine-distribution season.
Experts advise mobility managers to activate airline-agnostic disruption clauses in travel policies, allowing staff to rebook on any carrier without prior approval. They also recommend auditing emergency visa requirements for routings that may unexpectedly touch the UK or non-Schengen airports.
Amsterdam is a top transfer point for Swiss-bound passengers—especially to Basel, Zurich and Geneva on KLM-codeshare partner SWISS. Travel-management companies report that economy-class inventory on remaining flights to Switzerland sold out within hours, pushing last-minute fares above CHF 900 one-way. Several multinationals have authorised rail-air combinations via Brussels or Cologne to keep assignees moving.
For travellers suddenly rerouting through unfamiliar hubs, quick clarity on transit and entry formalities is essential. VisaHQ can fast-track visa checks or applications for Switzerland and neighbouring countries in minutes, helping companies keep people moving despite the chaos. Their online portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) consolidates requirements, fees and processing times in one place, reducing the risk of a last-second paperwork snag.
KLM’s meltdown also affects cargo. Forwarders say high-value Swiss pharmaceuticals routed via KLM Cargo’s cool-chain facilities are being diverted to Frankfurt and Liège, stretching already tight temperature-controlled capacity during the peak vaccine-distribution season.
Experts advise mobility managers to activate airline-agnostic disruption clauses in travel policies, allowing staff to rebook on any carrier without prior approval. They also recommend auditing emergency visa requirements for routings that may unexpectedly touch the UK or non-Schengen airports.
