AMSTELVEEN– KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) has announced a major restructuring programme that will affect approximately 5,000 positions, representing nearly 15% of its workforce.
The Dutch carrier plans to reorganize several business activities, transfer jobs within its parent group, and reduce staffing levels as it attempts to restore profitability and strengthen its competitive position.
Announced on November 5, 2026, the programme will affect employees across multiple departments, including catering, ground services, customer support, and operational functions.
Although the announcement involves approximately 5,000 positions, KLM expects around 1,000 fewer jobs to remain within the airline as productivity improvements and organizational changes take effect, while some activities move to external providers or Air France-KLM.
KLM Restructuring Plan
The restructuring reflects the financial challenges facing KLM within the wider Air France-KLM group. The airline has struggled to improve its profitability sufficiently, with high fuel prices, global instability, and rising competitive pressure adding to its operating challenges.
KLM aims to improve its annual financial performance by €1 billion through structural cost reductions and higher productivity.
Previous initiatives have already delivered more than €750 million in improvements, but management believes further changes are necessary to create sufficient financial flexibility.
The additional savings will support investments in a new generation of aircraft, customer service, digitalization, and employees. KLM also intends to strengthen its position as a major international carrier connecting the Netherlands with destinations worldwide through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).
5,000 Positions Affected
The airline has outlined several measures explaining how the restructuring will affect its workforce. Around 1,250 positions at KLM Catering Services have already been reorganized through cooperation with catering company gategroup, which has taken over related activities.
Another estimated 800 positions in Ground Services will be affected as KLM transfers certain activities to external service providers.
The changes will cover ground-handling operations, while approximately 2,000 positions, including 1,500 at customer contact centre Cygnific, will move to Air France-KLM, NL Times reported.
A further reduction of approximately 1,000 positions will come from planned productivity improvements within KLM itself. The airline is targeting a structural productivity increase of at least 8% by 2028, alongside more moderate wage growth.
Despite the scale of the restructuring, KLM expects to avoid compulsory redundancies. It plans to manage the workforce changes through natural employee departures, voluntary arrangements, and transfers to alternative positions wherever possible.
Financial Recovery Goals of KLM
KLM CEO Marjan Rintel said the airline needed to take difficult decisions to secure its long-term future. She highlighted the growing complexity of the aviation industry, including geopolitical instability, elevated fuel costs, and increasing pressure on airlines.
The restructuring will also extend beyond staffing changes. KLM plans to reduce its office-building footprint, outsource selected activities, simplify employment conditions, and work more closely with other businesses within Air France-KLM.
The airline will also review how certain maintenance activities are organized and align the management of its Engine Services and Component Services divisions more closely with its parent group.
KLM currently operates a network connecting 160 destinations directly from Amsterdam Schiphol and intends to protect that international connectivity while improving its financial position.
Management has warned that further organizational, employment, and productivity changes could still become necessary if the current measures do not deliver the required results.
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