Europe has been plunged into chaos after winter storms and freezing weather disrupted travel across the continent. Hundreds of flights were cancelled leaving passengers stranded at airports, while icy roads caused a massive 1,000 kilometre traffic jam in Paris.
A cold front brought heavy snowfall at the start of the week, causing misery to travellers but winter fun for others. Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam cancelled 700 flights on Monday, which amounted to over half of those scheduled to take off or land. Officials blamed the winter weather for the cancellations. Videos shared to social media channels appeared to show airport staff having fun in the snow, with some making snowmen.
Meanwhile, an orange weather alert was issued for snow and ice for much of northwest France and Paris by meteorologists.
The freezing weather forced Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports to reduce their flights by 15%.
An enormous traffic jam forced motorists in the French capital to sit for hours in their vehicles. At one point, police reported a tailback stretching an astonishing 1,000 kilometres.
The gridlock came after the French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot ordered speed restrictions of 80km/h (50 miles) on Paris roads.
The winter conditions tragically claimed the lives of six people, according to French media. Despite the travel chaos, some still found time to enjoy the winter snow in the French capital.
Some Parisians decided to take a day off work and donned their ski gear, before heading to Montmartre. They were pictured skiing down the hill, with France’s iconic Sacre Coeur cathedral in the background.
Eurostar train services were also disrupted by the wintery conditions, with passengers facing significant delays. Six trains running between St Pancras International and Paris Gare de Nord were cancelled.