- KLM cancelled 100 flights on Wednesday due to a two-hour ground crew strike.
- Around 27,000 passengers are affected; rebooking is underway.
- The strike was led by unions FNV and CNV, who rejected KLM’s labor agreement.
- A second strike is planned for September 17, lasting four hours.
- The disruption adds to a summer of labor unrest across European airlines.
Dutch airline KLM has cancelled 100 flights scheduled for Wednesday following a two-hour strike by ground crew at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. The disruption is expected to affect approximately 27,000 passengers, with ripple effects likely across the airline’s broader flight schedule.
The strike, which began at 8:00 a.m. local time, stems from unresolved labor disputes between KLM and two major unions — FNV and CNV — who rejected a recent collective bargaining agreement. While KLM reached a deal with three other unions last week, the dissenting groups are demanding stronger wage increases, more permanent contracts, and improved working conditions for physically demanding roles.
Ground crew workers, responsible for towing aircraft, handling baggage, and assisting passengers, are considered essential to airport operations. Their absence has forced KLM to cancel flights and rebook affected passengers on alternative routes.
A second, longer strike is already scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, with a four-hour walkout planned during morning hours. The airline has warned that further disruptions are possible if negotiations remain stalled.
European carriers have faced a turbulent summer marked by strikes and staffing shortages, with Ryanair and other budget airlines also cancelling flights due to air traffic control walkouts in France. The situation at KLM reflects broader tensions in the aviation sector, as workers push for fair compensation amid rising travel demand and inflationary pressures.
