AMSTERDAM- KLM (KL) has reported financial losses exceeding €30 million due to three recent strikes by its ground crew at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). If planned industrial action continues next week, the airline estimates losses may climb by another €10 million.
The walkouts have disrupted operations at one of Europe’s busiest hubs, forcing KLM to cancel and reschedule numerous flights. The airline is already implementing a €450 million cost-saving program for 2025, and labor disputes are adding further strain to its strategy.
Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – KLM, PH-BXA, Boeing 737-8K2, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66225228KLM Suffers €30 Million Loss
The strikes stem from disagreements between KLM management and unions representing ground staff. While three unions—NVLT, VKP, and De Unie—accepted a new collective labor agreement that included a 2.25% pay increase, members of FNV and CNV rejected the deal.
They argue that ground staff are being treated unfairly compared with pilots and demand significantly higher compensation.
KLM has labeled these demands as “unrealistic and unattainable,” warning that increased labor costs would harm competitiveness.
Reported by NL Times, the airline emphasized that negotiations remain open, but progress has stalled. FNV has declared its intent to continue strikes until its members secure a better offer, with another strike already scheduled.
Photo: Klaas-Jan van WoerkomFinancial and Competitive Pressure
KLM’s mounting strike-related losses come at a time when the airline faces strong competition from low-cost carriers and rising air travel taxes in the Netherlands.
These factors have driven some passengers to use airports in neighboring countries instead of Amsterdam.
The financial impact is significant: aside from direct revenue losses, repeated disruptions erode customer confidence and increase operational expenses.
For an airline already navigating a cost-reduction program, these strikes intensify the urgency of maintaining efficiency and competitiveness.
Representative Photo: KLMPrevious Legal Interventions
Not all strike attempts have gone ahead. Earlier this year, Dutch courts blocked two strike actions planned by FNV before the summer travel season.
The rulings underscored the balance between protecting labor rights and ensuring operational stability during peak travel periods. Despite these setbacks, unions remain determined to push their case forward, prolonging uncertainty for both the airline and its passengers.
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