Dutch airline KLM to cut 1,000 jobs as part of major restructuring amid rising costs

Dutch airline KLM has announced plans to cut around 1,000 jobs as part of a major restructuring exercise aimed at improving profitability, citing rising fuel prices and global instability.

Announcing the measures on November 5, KLM President and CEO Marjan Rintel said approximately 5,000 positions had been or would be reorganised, with certain activities outsourced to external providers and others transferred to its parent group, Air France-KLM.

Rintel said the airline was taking difficult decisions to secure its long-term future amid growing pressure on the aviation industry.

"KLM's future is not guaranteed," she said, pointing to global instability, high fuel prices and an increasingly complex operating environment.

"That's why, at this pivotal moment for KLM, we're taking far-reaching, sometimes painful measures. Every department and every division will be asked to contribute," Rintel added.

1,000 fewer positions at KLM

The restructuring involves around 800 positions in Ground Services, where certain activities will be handed over to external providers.

Another 2,000 positions, including 1,500 at customer contact centre Cygnific, will be transferred to Air France-KLM.

In addition, planned structural productivity improvements are expected to result in approximately 1,000 fewer positions at KLM.

The airline said it would seek to minimise the impact on employees through natural attrition, voluntary arrangements and transfers to other roles.

Rintel acknowledged the difficulties involved in transferring activities that had traditionally been part of the company, particularly for employees who had spent their working lives at KLM.

However, she said inaction could have more serious consequences for jobs and the country's international connectivity.

The airline said it would implement the changes with care and respect, maintaining dialogue with employee representatives, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders.

Why is KLM restructuring its operations?

KLM said it needs to improve its annual earnings by €1 billion, taking the total required earnings improvement to €1.4 billion. The additional earnings are intended to fund investments in its fleet, customer experience and employees.

The KLM Group reported an operating profit of €526 million in the first nine months of 2026.

The airline has already achieved more than €750 million in structural improvements in recent years through various cost-cutting measures. These included reducing office space, leaving vacant positions unfilled, cutting jobs and outsourcing activities such as catering and maintenance.

However, KLM said these efforts had not been sufficient to secure its long-term financial position.

Future scenarios developed over the past few months in consultation with employees and external stakeholders also pointed to the need for more decisive action, the airline said.