KLM Set to Cut Workforce by Up to 5,000

KLM is set to cut its workforce by up to 5,000 in the coming years due to the Covid-19 pandemic

KLM has announced that it is being forced to cut its workforce by up to 5,000 as passenger numbers plunge 95% due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and the global travel restrictions.

The Dutch flag carrier confirmed that some 1,500 temporary contracts will not be renewed and some 2,000 jobs will go through a voluntary redundancy scheme.

Around 1,500 people will lose their jobs, including ground, cabin, cockpit crew and administrative workers.

The airline has been hit by a 95% drop in passenger numbers due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the global travel restrictions.

Chief Executive Pieter Elbers said: “A great deal has already been done in recent months with respect to adjusting the size of our company in the face of a new reality.

“Unfortunately, more measures are needed in the short term to guarantee KLM’s continued existence in the future.”

The government agreed to bail out KLM to the tune of €3.4bn through loans and guarantees, however the package is not without conditions and KLM has been told to bring down its costs by some 15% – equivalent to savings of around €1.3bn.

news