Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is set to cancel some 200 flights on Thursday (21 December) due to strong winds caused by Storm Pia, which is currently wreaking havoc across Northwestern Europe. 

The Netherlands hub in a statement said the precautionary measure applies to both departing and arriving flights and warned travellers of additional delays.

“Because we are expecting wind speeds (from the west) of around 50 kilometres per hour, with gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour, only the Buitenveldertbaan Runway can be used for take-offs and landings from the afternoon onwards,” the airport said. 

The storm will likely impede ground handling at Schiphol, which the airport advised will cause additional disruptions to the flight schedule.

Storm Pia is also expected to cause significant disruption across the UK today, with train commuters warned not to travel.

Train company TransPennine Express, which runs services between Northern England and Scotland, has issued “do not travel” advice and is asking travellers to delay journeys in and out of Edinburgh until after 3pm due to strong winds.

British Airways has also reportedly grounded two dozen domestic and European flights due to the storm.