KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), the Netherlands’ flag carrier, has reached a binding two‑year collective labour agreement with its cabin crew unions — VNC, FNV Cabine and De Unie — covering employment terms from 1 March 2025 through 28 February 2027, reported NL Times.
The agreement — ratified following positive union member votes — addresses compensation, working conditions, employability measures and stability provisions aimed at resolving a protracted period of industrial action and accountabilities that affected operations at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), which is one of the busiest international airport.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airline Name | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines |
| IATA Code | KL |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Headquarters | Amstelveen, Netherlands |
| Primary Hub | Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) |
| Fleet Size | ~120+ aircraft (multiple types across short‑haul and long‑haul; varies over time) |
| Annual Passengers | ~35–40 million (pre‑pandemic reference) |
President Lee Jae-myung Clashes With Incheon Airport Chief Over Book-Based Cash Smuggling Claims
Key Provisions of the KLM Cabin Crew Labour Deal
The collective labour agreement (CLA) with cabin crew is critical to workforce stability. Its key elements include:
-
Structured salary increases totalling approximately 3.25 % over the two‑year period, with defined phases.
-
One‑off net payment of €750 to cabin crew in January 2026, conditional on full‑time status.
-
Agreements on allowances, scheduling methodology and shift parameters that aim to balance operational requirements with employee well‑being.
Employability and Retention Frameworks
According to aviation.be, there will also be an extension of the 80‑90‑100 scheme, allowing employees to work reduced hours while retaining higher proportions of pay and pension accrual:
” The CLA runs for two years, retroactively from 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2027. Over this period, cabin crew will receive a total salary increase of 3.25%, applied in stages: 1% from 1 December 2025, 1.25% from 1 July 2026, and a further 1% from 1 January 2027. In addition, all cabin crew will receive a one-off net payment of €750 in January 2026, based on full-time employment. “
The agreement is set to support stability and long-term employability for cabin staff, while providing predictable cost development for the airline over the next two years. A new temporary early retirement (RVU) scheme and provisions enabling cabin crew to transfer to ground positions with clear return pathways.
Background: Cabin Crew Negotiations and Industry Context
KLM’s negotiations with cabin crew unfolded against a broader backdrop of labour disputes that reverberated through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Europe’s aviation sector. For example, in 2019, KLM and FNV/VNC agreed on a two‑year cabin crew labor deal with a 7 % pay hike. Nack then, NL Times had reported:
“Workers will also get a one-time payout of 375 euros for taking on a secondary assignment in 2019. The salary increase starts retroactive to September 1 at two percent. There will be another 2.5 percent pay bump on August 1 in 2020 and 2021.”
However, more recent talks were complicated by parallel disputes involving ground staff unions (CNV, FNV), which at times led to operational strikes and flight cancellations at Schiphol. A few months ago, the carrier saw flight cancellations and delays due to strike- the details of which are as follows:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, September 4 |
| Duration of Strike | 08:00 – 10:00 local time |
| Unions Involved | FNV, CNV |
| Reason | Dispute following KLM’s collective wage agreement with three smaller unions |
| Number of Flights Cancelled | Over 100 |
| Passengers Affected | Approximately 27,000 |
| Affected Routes | Mainly flights within Europe |
| Compensation / Alternatives | Alternative flights arranged for affected passengers |
IATA Warns of Slowing SAF Production as Airlines Push Toward Net-Zero
What This Move Means for Passengers and KLM’s Long-Term Employability
KLM’s two-year cabin crew agreement provides a foundation for consistent onboard service and predictable staffing. The key benefits for travelers and operations:
| Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Workforce consistency | Ensures experienced cabin crew are available across routes |
| Defined employment terms | Facilitates predictable staffing and scheduling |
| Timeline alignment | Employment planning matches travel demand across multiple seasons |
| Service continuity | Maintains stable passenger experience without operational changes |
The integration of long-term employability measures for KLM’s cabin crew such as reduced-hour work schemes and structured early retirement pathways will allow cabin crew to remain active in the workforce while managing career progression, supporting a sustainable staffing model by:
-
Reducing abrupt departures from active duty
-
Encouraging retention of experienced staff
-
Providing structural certainty for staffing throughout 2025–2027
By formalizing these arrangements, KLM ensures operational stability and a reliable travel experience for passengers, even though the agreement itself does not introduce immediate service changes.
According to TravelTourWorld, the agreement “has been structured to provide predictable cost development across its two-year term”:
“Phased salary adjustments and clearly defined one-off payments allow financial planning to remain aligned with the agreement’s duration. This structure supports operational forecasting without altering existing service or route structures. The clarity offered by the agreement applies equally to employment terms and financial planning, ensuring that cabin crew compensation developments are predefined throughout the covered period. No additional cost-related provisions beyond those stated have been included.”