KLM continually invests in its inflight products. What’s more, KLM has been serving World Business Class meals created by leading Dutch chefs for several years now. Cooperation of this nature reaffirms KLM’s commitment to invest in its inflight service. KLM previously cooperated with leading Dutch chefs including Jacob Jan Boerma, Cees Helder, Margot Janse, Sergio Herman, Richard Ekkebus, Mario Ridder and Richard Oostenbrugge.

About Jonnie Boer
Together with his wife Thérèse, Jonnie Boer owns Restaurant De Librije in Zwolle. This three-star restaurant features amongst the world’s top 50. In addition to the restaurant, Jonnie and Thérèse also own the Librije’s Shop, Librije’s Hotel and the Librije’s Atelier cookery and wine academy.

FNV Cabin Crew and VNC are conducting industrial action again against the introduction of a productivity measure effective 30 October. This measure means that KLM has had to reach a decision to assign one cabin attendant less in Economy Class on its Boeing 777-200, Airbus 330-300 and Boeing 787 aircraft. This will affect approximately 40% of the airline’s long-haul flights. This solution will have the least impact on the client and will largely produce the necessary productivity gain of 4%.

KLM emphasises that it became necessary to introduce this measure because it has not been possible to enter into consultations with the cabin crew unions about KLM’s vision of the future and the necessary productivity measures. KLM has no choice but to introduce this measure in the interests of its continuity and healthy growth.

KLM finds it regrettable that FNV Cabin Crew has chosen this course of action and remains open to consultation to resolve the issues at hand.

Why the programme is so important
As a result of low production capacity, the availability of renewable raw materials, and the mandatory delivery of biofuels for road transport, there is no stable production of biofuel for the airline industry in Europe. KLM believes that medium- and long-term production of biofuel is extremely important if the airline industry is to achieve its carbon dioxide reduction goals. The Dutch government’s participation in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme emphasises its importance. If biofuel could be made widely available, it could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80%.

About the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme
The KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme enables companies to do some of their air travel using renewable biofuel. Participants pay a fee to bridge the difference between the price of traditional fossil fuel and sustainable biofuel. KLM uses that fee to purchase renewable biofuel.

Together with the CBP’s partners, KLM is stimulating the development of a market for sustainable biofuels which, in turn, will create ongoing production so that the price for biofuels drops to an acceptable level. KLM only purchases biofuels made from raw materials that have no negative environmental impact on biodiversity or food production. The biofuels are purchased through SkyNRG and is advised by its independent Sustainability Board. SkyNRG is certified by the Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).

ABN AMRO, Accenture, CBRE Global Investors, FMO, FrieslandCampina, the City of Amsterdam, Heineken, Loyens & Loeff, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, PGGM, Perfetti Van Melle, and the Schiphol Group are now participating in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme.

Last summer, KLM added a record number of new destinations to its network. Teheran is one of five new destinations that KLM will initiate when the new winter schedule goes into service. Flights to Teheran will depart every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday at 17.40 from Amsterdam.

Productivity measure
FNV Cabin Crew is conducting industrial action against the introduction of a productivity measure effective 30 October. This measure means that KLM has had to reach a decision to assign one cabin attendant less in Economy Class on its Boeing 777-200, Airbus 330-300 and Boeing 787 aircraft. This will affect approximately 40% of the airline’s long-haul flights. This solution will have the least impact on the client and will largely produce the necessary productivity gain of 4%.

KLM emphasises that it became necessary to introduce this measure because it has not been possible to enter into consultations with the cabin crew unions about KLM’s vision of the future and the necessary productivity measures. KLM has no choice but to introduce this measure in the interests of its continuity and healthy growth.

KLM finds it regrettable that FNV Cabin Crew has chosen this course of action and believes that consultation could resolve the situation.

KLM and Argentina
Argentina is the world’s second-largest net exporter of agricultural foodstuffs such as wheat, maize, flour and vegetable oils. Over the past six years, KLM has doubled its capacity to South American destinations. KLM also offers excellent connections from South America to China via Amsterdam. More specifically, many thousands of passengers annually travel from Argentina to Fujian province (Xiamen) in China.

KLM began cooperating with MOAM in 2015. The first time a collection using KLM materials was presented was at a catwalk show in Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum in July last year. 

About MOAM
MOAM is a collective of young, talented designers who have graduated from different fashion schools. The event gives them the opportunity to work with leading Dutch fashion designers such as Mart Visser and Jan Taminiau. For MOAM 2016, the designers spent six months creating a single collection together.

About Minneapolis
Minneapolis is the largest city in the American state of Minnesota and has a population of around 400,000. This city has a unique system of skyways. These glass-enclosed pedestrian bridges link the buildings in the centre of Minneapolis, allowing you to walk through the city while sheltering from the winter cold or summer heat. The city is famous for the Minneapolis Sound. This pop music trend, pioneered by Prince, created a furore in the 1980s. The city also boasts numerous nightclubs, modern art, and a large number of theatres, which are barely surpassed by New York. In terms of commerce, Minneapolis is a centre for medical industries and financial institutions.

Click here for more information or for downloading the KLM Media App. 

KLM would like to stress that it was compelled to adopt the “minus one CA measure” aboard the B777-200, A330-300 and B787, because the cabin unions were unwilling to consult on the issue of KLM’s future vision and required productivity measures. In the interests of continuity and health growth, KLM was therefore compelled to take this measure.

KLM remains open to negotiations and calls on the cabin crew unions to engage in consultation.

It is encouraging to see so many countries committing to the agreement from the start, pledging that airlines would only be allowed to pursue CO₂-neutral growth from 2020. Among these countries are various key aviation nations, including China, the USA and all EU countries.

The primary focus of the ICAO meeting was an emissions trading scheme (compensation), but KLM will continue to urge the sector to pursue efforts to reduce emissions by deploying new aviation technologies, using biofuels, making more efficient use of air space, and optimising flight operations.

KLM has long been the acknowledged leader of efforts to make the air transport sector more sustainable. This is borne out by Air France KLM’s ranking at the top of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 12 consecutive years. KLM has had its own integral climate action plan since 2005.

Since 2008, KLM passengers have been able to compensate for their flights’ emissions by way of the CO2ZERO programme. In addition, KLM has invested extensively in fleet renewal in recent years, and heads the field in the development of a market for sustainable biofuels. In 2011, KLM operated its first commercial flight using biofuel. This first flight to Paris was soon followed by flights to other destinations. In 2012, the KLM Corporate BioFuel programme was launched, enabling companies to operate some of their flights on sustainable biofuel, thereby further stimulating biofuel development. Last month, KLM signed a three-year contract that will see all its flights from Los Angeles to Amsterdam operated using a percentage of sustainable biofuel.

More information on: www.klmtakescare.com. 

If you would like more information about Flying Blue, please click here. 

KLM receives around 100,000 mentions per week via social media and this number is still growing. A dedicated team of 235 social media service agents personally engages in 15,000 conversations. The DigitalGenius AI system is integrated directly into KLM’s Customer Relationship Management tool, and provides a layer of deep learning and artificial intelligence to service agents in real time.

About KLM and Social Media
Since 2009, KLM has gained a reputation for being an initiator and pioneer of social media services and campaigns across the social media landscape. In August 2016, KLM had over 22.5 million fans and followers on various social media platforms. Through these channels, KLM is mentioned more than 100,000 times a week. A dedicated team of 235 social media service agents personally engages in 15,000 conversations a week on Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, WeChat, KakaoTalk and VKontakte. KLM offers its customers 24/7 service in 10 different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. Questions can also be asked in Norwegian and Russian during local office hours. In recognition of these efforts, SocialBakers voted KLM the “World’s Most Socially Devoted Brand” for four consecutive years from 2011 to 2014.

About DigitalGenius
DigitalGenius brings practical applications of deep learning and artificial intelligence into customer service operations of leading companies. Its Human+AI™ Customer Service Platform combines the best of human and machine intelligence enabling companies to deliver on increasing customer expectations. At its core are deep learning algorithms, which are trained on historical customer service data and integrated directly into the contact center’s existing software. Once enabled, the platform automates and increases the quality and efficiency of customer service & support conversations across text-based communication channels like email, chat, social media, SMS and mobile messaging.

With this new joint Air France and KLM agreement, the Group’s passengers will benefit from WiFi during their trip by staying connected around the world with their family, friends or business partners, on their smartphone, laptop or tablet. On the in-house Air France-KLM designed onboard portal a freely accessible environment is available where customers can find relevant information about their flight, arrange travel details and find entertainment beyond the state of the art seat-back inflight entertainment systems.

The 2Ku product from Gogo offers a future-proof platform based on the latest antenna technology, bringing flexibility to adapt to growing demands from our customers.

Boeing 787 already equipped with WiFi
On Air France-KLM's long-haul fleet, passengers already enjoy WiFi on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with currently 8 aircraft operated by KLM and the first aircraft operated by Air France as from 9 January next year. The Group's Boeing 787, which offer WiFi on board, are equipped by Panasonic Avionics, and offer the same portal and products as planned on the rest of the long-haul fleet.

About Air France-KLM
A global giant with a strong European base, the Air France-KLM Group’s main areas of business are passenger transport, cargo transport and aeronautical maintenance.

Air France-KLM is the leading Group in terms of international traffic on departure from Europe. In 2016, it offers its customers access to a network covering 320 destinations in 114 countries thanks to its four brands Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Transavia and HOP! Air France. With a fleet of 534 aircraft in operation and 89.8 million passengers carried in 2015, Air France-KLM operates up to 2,200 daily flights, mainly from its hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol.

Its Flying Blue frequent flyer programme is one of the leaders in Europe with over 27 million members.

Air France-KLM and its partners Delta Air Lines and Alitalia operate the biggest trans-Atlantic joint-venture with 270 daily flights.

Air France-KLM is also a member of the SkyTeam alliance which has 20 member airlines, offering customers access to a global network of over 16,270 daily flights to 1,057 destinations in 179 countries.

Within the scope of the pilot project, KLM Cargo is participating in a consortium representing all the parties involved in the supply chain. KLM Cargo’s partners include Schiphol Cargo, Jan de Rijk Logistics, Cargonaut, Swissport, Kuehne+Nagel and the Customs Services and Tax Authorities.

This morning, the first newly scheduled cargo trucks arrived carrying goods from Frankfurt. A distinction is now being drawn between shipments with shorter connecting times and those with less time pressure.

Introducing the new schedule also constitutes the first step towards setting up a Cloud platform facilitating data exchange amongst the cooperating parties. This means that once data has been delivered “real time” by other parties in the supply chain, it can be reused, supplemented or modified where necessary. From the start, the information is also automatically verified against the applicable customs regulations and safety standards. Not only will this support the exchange of administrative data, it will also facilitate the exchange of status information relating to the shipments.

The project is supported by the national Neutral Logistic Information Platform (NLIP) steering committee and therefore forms part of government’s policy on leading sectors. In the leading sector of logistics, government aims to raise efficiency and enhance the quality of logistics to ensure the Netherlands maintains its international standing as a leader in this sector in 2020 and beyond.

Cancelling the STROT protocol with the VNV and the financing agreement with the Pension Fund was an extreme measure for KLM. The unintended consequences brought about by changes to the legislation, combined with low interest rates, would force KLM to make disproportionately high supplementary payments, that would impact the company’s financial situation and endanger jobs in the future.

KLM is confident it will be able to arrive at a suitable solution with the VNV.

All of KLM’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners are named after flowers or flowering plants such as the Sunflower, Carnation, Bougainvillea, Dahlia, Hibiscus, Mimosa and Jasmine. KLM’s 9^th new Dreamliner is expected to arrive in July 2017.

On arrival at Schiphol, the athletes passed through an honour guard of KLM personnel in uniform on their way to the busses that brought them to Tivoli/Vredenburg in Utrecht for the official reception ceremony. The Netherlands won a total of 17 gold medals, 19 silver medals and 26 bronze medals at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

#Oranjeboven – Orange on High – KLM’s orange Boeing 777
On 14 June, KLM introduced its first and only orange Boeing 777.The airline uses the aircraft wherever possible during events to help promote the Netherlands

In line with this vision of the future and in order to achieve the productivity gains that are needed, KLM’s proposal to the cabin unions entails appointing one purser to work in-team from the start of the winter schedule (with one of the two managing crew members working over and above the normal team on intercontinental flights). This would make it possible to achieve the productivity gains required. Because the purser’s responsibilities are laid down in the collective labour agreement (CLA), this proposal can only be implemented in consultation with the cabin unions.

Because of the deadlock in the pension negotiations, the cabin unions are currently refusing to join KLM in talks. KLM has therefore felt compelled to seek an alternative solution within the possibilities offered by the current CLA. KLM has had to take the decision to implement the following changes to the composition of cabin crews from the start of the winter schedule on 30 October 2016: 300-seater aircraft will have two managing crew members in addition to the normal team (Boeing 777-200, Airbus 330-300 and Boeing 787) with one less Cabin Attendant in Economy Class. This will affect around 40% of long-haul flights. This solution will have the least impact on passengers, while generating a large part of the required 4% productivity gains.

Travelling with KLM should be an unforgettable, positive experience for all our customers. To be able to achieve this, KLM would like to get to know its passengers even better, to approach them in an even more personal manner and to adjust its service to meet their needs. It is our personal contact with our passengers that makes KLM stand out. All KLM’s employees have a part to play here, but on board it is the cabin personnel who are most vital. The way KLM works in the cabin has to change from a primarily logistics-based process, with fixed service moments, to an open and more customer-centric approach.

KLM would very much like the cabin unions to join it at the negotiation table to discuss productivity gains and to seek different ways to achieve the same results.

In 1991, the airline’s name was changed to KLM Cityhopper, following a merger between NLM Cityhopper and NetherLines (established in 1984). In 1997, Air UK was also incorporated into the airline, bringing with it a fleet consisting primarily of Fokker 100s and 50s – a major expansion.

Today
Today, KLM Cityhopper operates around 300 flights a day, which amounts to around 100,000 flights a year, carrying more than 7 million passengers. The KLM Cityhopper fleet currently consists of 30 Embraer 190s, 3 Embraer 175s and 13 Fokker 70’s.

In 2017, KLM Cityhopper will bid farewell to its last Fokker 70. The airline welcomed its first two Embraer 190s in December 2008, and took delivery of its third Embraer 175 in August this year. By early 2018, the KLM Cityhopper fleet will consist of 30 Embraer 190s and 17 Embraer 175s. These new arrivals are not only more economical, but also produce fewer emissions.

In 2015, an international panel chose KLM Cityhopper as “Regional Airline of the Year”.

KLM recently announced its latest European destination: Dublin. KLM will begin serving the Irish capital at the start of the new winter schedule on 30 October, with KLM Cityhopper operating two daily flights.

Click here to read the KLM-blog about KLM Cityhopper 50 years.

Biofuel – how does it work?
The biofuel is pumped directly into the airport fuel reservoirs, which also hold the airport’s conventional kerosene supply. This implies it is delivered into all aircrafts that are refuelled in Los Angeles. In this way, biofuel contributes to reducing CO2 emissions from all flights taking off from Los Angeles.

Reducing CO₂ emissions
Together with its partners in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme, KLM buys sustainable biofuel in Los Angeles and can therefore assign the reduction in CO₂ emissions to all KLM flights departing from this airport. These biofuel flights contribute to KLM’s ambition to achieve a 20% reduction in CO₂ emissions per passenger by 2020 (compared to 2011).

Biofuel producer and supplier
SkyNRG supplies the sustainable biofuel, which is made from used cooking oil by AltAir Fuels in Los Angeles. AltAir Fuels is the first and only refinery in the world that continuously produces biofuel for aviation, making it the first that supplies biofuel to the airline industry on a commercial basis.

Maarten van Dijk, CEO SkyNRG: “We’re extremely proud that only 5 years after we supplied KLM to operate the first commercial biofuel flight worldwide, our launching customer has now signed its first long-term biofuel offtake. AltAir’s dedicated production capacity marks an important milestone as creating scale is crucial to take the next step in the development of the sustainable jet fuel market.”

Bryan Sherbacow, President AltAir Fuels: “KLM’s multi-year biofuel offtake is a real milestone for the industry and shows their commitment to making aviation more sustainable. We’re proud to supply them together with our project partner SkyNRG.”

KLM and sustainable biofuel
KLM is a pioneer in the use of sustainable biofuel and has earned the status of “best in class” in terms of fuel efficiency. In 2011, KLM operated its first commercial flight using biofuel. Since that flight to Paris, numerous KLM flights using sustainable biofuel have been operated by various KLM aircraft types.

For more information on KLM’s initiatives to reduce CO₂ emissions, visit www.klmtakescare.nl.

Mr Janaillac held talks with trade unions in both France and the Netherlands last week, to launch the Air France-KLM project “Trust Together”. This project supplements Perform 2020, Mr Janaillac explained. It focuses on restoring trust within the group, wherever that is needed, and identifies a number of specific, strategic topics.

Reports appeared in foreign media, which were then picked up by the Dutch press, which gave the false impression that Perform 2020 has been dropped. KLM and Air France stress that they are continuing to implement Perform 2020, which focuses on cutting costs and achieving greater margins, in order to be able to make the investments that are necessary to ensure a healthy future for the group. The first positive results arising from this trajectory are already discernible for KLM

All of KLM’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners are named after flowers or blooming plants, including the Sunflower, Carnation, Bougainville, Dalia, Hibiscus and Mimosa. KLM’s eighth new Dreamliner is expected to arrive in late September.

Embraer 175
KLM will take delivery of its third Embraer 175 this evening. The fourth Embraer 175 is expected to
arrive at Schiphol in October. KLM will expand its fleet with a total of 15 Embraer 175s through 2018.

KLM understands and respects what its staff, and hence the FNV and other unions, find important. KLM’s labour contract proposal therefore addresses, among other things, the wishes of the FNV regarding policy for older staff, salaries and permanent contracts.

The four other unions previously indicated that they would present the outcome of the July labour contract negotiations to their members. They see no reason to organise protest action.

About Trix
Trix roamed North America around 66 million years ago. The Tyrannosaurus Rex is one of the best-known dinosaur species in the world, because it appeals to the imagination, having been one of the biggest predators on the face of the planet. Trix’s bones were carefully excavated in 2013, under auspices of the Dutch palaeontologist Dr Anne Schulp. Trix will be proudly displayed at the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre in Leiden from Saturday, 10 September, when the exhibition “T.rex in Town” opens to the public.

About Air France KLM Cargo
KLM Cargo is the airfreight division of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, transporting regular cargo as well as special and unusual shipments, ranging from exclusive paintings and sports cars to race horses and rhinos, and now even a T.rex. In 2015, Air France KLM Cargo transported 1,2 million tonnes of freight.

The flights will be operated with a Boeing 777-200. KLM will meet passenger needs by offering three different travel classes on board: 34 seats in World Business Class, 40 seats in Economy Comfort, and 242 seats in Economy Class. The Economy Comfort seats offer 10 cm more legroom and have double the recline of standard Economy Class seats. Economy Comfort passengers are also given priority when disembarking.

In the past, KLM operated service to Tehran from April 1948 through April 2013. Including the new flights to Tehran, KLM now offer 37 flights to nine destinations in the Middle East.

About Tehran
Tehran is the capital of Iran and, including its peripheral areas, is home to 13 million people. Iran has undergone major economic growth since January 2016, after international economic sanctions were largely lifted. The direct service between Amsterdam and Tehran offers new opportunities to companies seeking to do business in Iran.

The new flights also offer opportunities for tourism. Iran has a very rich culture, in which ancient and modern elements are combined. Iran hosts 21 UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Tehran, the most symbolic buildings in are the Azadi Tower (built during the Pahlavi era), the Borj-e Milad Tower and the Tabiat Bridge. Other highlights include the bazaar in the southern part of the city. The city’s cultural highlights include the Tehran Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum, the Golestan Palace which houses the Peacock Throne, the Sa’adabad Palace Complex and the Niavaran Palace.

Team NL won a total 19 medals in Rio de Janeiro: eight gold, seven silver, and four bronze medals. Following the reception, the Olympians travelled to the RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre in Amsterdam where the official welcome-home ceremony took place.

#Oranjeboven – Orange on High – KLM’s orange Boeing 777
On 14 June, KLM introduced its first and only orange Boeing 777. The airline uses the aircraft wherever possible during events to help promote the Netherlands.

“Based on our strong position in Europe, you can see that we regularly find opportunities to strengthen our international position,” says KLM CEO Pieter Elbers. “Having extended our destinations on the North American continent this year to Salt Lake City and Miami, and to Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Astana (Kazakhstan), we have now added another KLM destination in Africa. We operate 55 flights a week to destinations in Africa.”

Namibia is both economically and politically stable. Its stunning nature attracts a great deal of high-end ecotourism. Some highlights include the sand dunes of the Namib Desert (the oldest in the world), wildlife parks, and its beautiful beaches. Winter here is summer there. Windhoek is Namibia’s capital. It is known to be a surprisingly modern and green city in the middle of the desert. It offers a wide variety of cultural and culinary adventures. And for shoppers, there is much to discover in this lively African city.

Windhoek is KLM’s twelfth destination in Africa. We already fly to Luanda (Angola), Johannesburg and Cape Town (South Africa), Nairobi (Kenya), Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Entebbe (Uganda), Kigali (Rwanda), Lagos (Nigeria), Accra (Ghana) and Cairo (Egypt).Together with our partners, we serve 56 different destinations in Africa.

FNV once again announced this morning that it would be calling on FNV-affiliated ground personnel to work “strictly” according to the rules. KLM does not expect this call to action to have any negative operational consequences either. If, in carrying out such actions, FNV hopes to achieve the same consequences as the courts aimed to prevent, FNV is acting in contravention of the judgement.

KLM reasserts its position that FNV is nonetheless calling for action instead of entering into dialogue. And KLM reiterates its invitation to enter into further discussion.

Because KLM employees always execute their tasks safely and in accordance with the applicable rules, KLM does not expect this call to action to have any negative operational consequences.

If, in calling for such action, FNV hopes to achieve the same consequences as the courts aimed to prevent, FNV is acting in contravention of the judgement.

KLM has ascertained that FNV is nonetheless calling for action instead of entering into dialogue. KLM reiterates its invitation to enter into further discussion.

The STROT protocol and the implementation agreement stipulate that KLM should make a supplementary payment if the cover ratio of the pension fund is insufficient for full indexation. The limit for this cover ratio had been set at 105%.

New legislation, which took effect on 1 January 2015, raised this limit to around 122%. Below this cover ratio, full indexation is impossible, which means KLM must make a supplementary payment if the cover ratio is below 122%. In view of the current financial status of the pension fund, this supplementary payment, which is due in late 2016, could amount to hundreds of millions of euros.

This pension issue is an unexpected side-effect of the new legislation passed on 1 January 2015. Since then, KLM and VNV have met on several occasions to discuss this new legislation and its unintended side-effects. These meetings did not result in a solution.

It is not KLM’s intention to reduce pension costs. The point is that the unintended effects of the amended legislation, in combination with low interest rates, have confronted KLM with a disproportionately high supplementation commitment, which jeopardises operational continuity.

KLM therefore cannot pursue the current supplementation scheme for future indexation of the pilots’ pension scheme in its current form. As a result, KLM is compelled to suspend its STROT protocol with the VNV pilots’ union as well as its implementation agreement with the pension funds effective 1 December 2016. The proposed adjustments imply that indexation security will change. All other pension commitments will remain unchanged.

Together with this suspension, KLM presented the VNV with an alternative proposal for the STROT protocol and the implementation agreement. 

Although KLM cannot comply with the VNV’s ultimatum to withdraw its proposal from the negotiating table, it today assured the VNV that it has every intention to keep seeing an equitable solution. This is borne out the four alternatives that KLM offered to the VNV in its latest letter of proposal.

KLM finds it highly regrettable that VNV seems to be opting to take legal rather than engaging in dialogue to resolve this issue.

• All staff will receive a one-off bonus of EUR 1,600 in 2016;
• All staff will receive a structural salary increase of 1% effective 2018;
• All staff have the option of converting up to 20% of their salary into a profit-sharing scheme;
• KLM will ensure job security, with no discharge on economic/financial grounds for the duration of the CLA, despite the on-going reorganisation;
• KLM is prepared to offer fixed contracts to 165 temps;
• KLM will adhere to national agreements in favour of unemployment insurance (WW) coverage for a three-year period.

On top of that, it is important to bear the following in mind:

• Despite the economic/financial headwind, no KLM employees have been compulsorily discharged. The reduction in FTEs over the past year was achieved through natural attrition;
• The labour costs of fellow handling companies are up to 30% lower than KLM’s;
• Work pressure if up to 20% higher at fellow handling companies.

KLM remains convinced that its proposal contains a great package of agreements, which will contribute to ensuring a brighter and better future for our organization.

While the FNV union has repeatedly presented ultimatums, KLM has continued to pursue dialogue in the on-going negotiations. The other four unions have presented KLM’s CLA proposal to their members and see no reason for protest action.

KLM will also be using its special orange aircraft to bring the Dutch Olympians back to Amsterdam aboard the “Medal Flight” on 22 August.

More information: #OrangePride

Nevertheless, KLM will consider the contents of FNV’s proposal. Other unions representing our ground personnel have indicated that they see no reason for labour action in response to KLM’s final proposal and that they will present the proposal to their members in neutral terms.

On the 15^th of July, due to the situation in Turkey, the KL1617 returned to Amsterdam after it refuelled in Vienna. The airplane had 184 passengers on board. Customers have been offered hotel accommodation in Amsterdam and will be rebooked as soon as KLM has more information about the situation and the operation of the airports in Turkey. Consequently the return flight (Istanbul – Amsterdam) KL1610 on the 16^th of July has also been cancelled.

As the joint business has grown, new routes have been added: Guangzhou-Amsterdam, Chengdu-Amsterdam, Hangzhou-Amsterdam, Xiamen-Amsterdam and Guangzhou-London. In March 2015, the joint venture was enhanced with the addition of China Southern Airlines’ subsidiary Xiamen Airlines.

Greater China routes

Today KLM and China Southern Airlines, with Xiamen Airlines operate eight non-stop Amsterdam-Greater China routes with 60 weekly frequencies. This makes Amsterdam a prominent gateway between China and Europe. In 2006, KLM and China Southern welcomed 285,000 passengers on the first enhanced- cooperation route, Amsterdam-Beijing. Now, 10 years on, the carriers board together close to one million passengers on their cooperation routes to and from mainland China.

China Southern Airlines and KLM further continue to intensify their cooperation in other areas of the airline business too. KLM recently signed an engine maintenance agreement with Xiamen Airlines. KLM and China Southern Airlines have also recently joined forces with Chinese and Dutch air traffic control and the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) to learn from each other and to seek out ways to prevent and reduce flight delays.

Air France has been working in close cooperation with China Southern as well for more than five years on the Paris-Guangzhou route. The parties are currently discussing to also further enhance this cooperation. Other opportunities in such areas as Cargo, Engineering & Maintenance, and E-commerce will also be explored.

• Departure Amsterdam 13.20 - Arrival in Ibiza 15.50

• Departure Ibiza 16.35 - Arrival in Amsterdam 19.15

Sunday

• Departure Amsterdam 13.40 - Arrival in Ibiza 16.10

• Departure Ibiza 16.55 - Arrival in Amsterdam 19.35

KLM has long operated flights to Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid. This year KLM is strengthening its position in the Spanish market by introducing services to Ibiza, Valencia and Alicante.

CLA 2016

Costs have to be reduced further and income has to increase. Only then will it be possible to continue growth and to implement the investment plan: investment in the customer,  product and, importantly, in personnel. Investment in equipment, digitalisation and employment conditions are crucial. Growth is vital for KLM and brings employment opportunities. Salaries at KLM are often higher than competitors’. Alternatives, such as outsourcing or salary cuts, would be more unpleasant for staff. The goals laid out in Perform 2020 lie at the heart of the forthcoming CLA negotiations: reductions to unit costs of 1.5% per year and an annual increase in productivity of 4%.

Process

The next CLA negotiations between KLM and the unions are planned for Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 May, and Thursday 2 and Friday 3 June.

The Air France-KLM Board of Directors has decided that Mr. Janaillac’s international experience, his knowledge of transportation business both in France and in the Netherlands, his success in the development of the companies he has led, his knowledge of the airline industry and its customers and his capacity for dialogue with employees and other group stakeholders will enable him to meet the challenges that the Air France-KLM group faces.

The Board has decided that Mr. Janaillac will be co-opted as a Group director when Mr. de Juniac leaves office on July 31st at the latest. He will then be appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM.

Photo: Robert Meerding

In summer 2016, KLM will expand its medium-haul network with scheduled service to seven new destinations: Southampton, Inverness, Dresden, Genoa, Valencia, Alicante and Ibiza. These services will be operated with one daily frequency except for Southampton which will operated with two daily frequencies. Ibiza will be operated only during the peak season, in addition to the existing Transavia Summer operations from Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Rotterdam. After a successful startup in Summer 15, KLM is also adding a second daily operation to Krakow, offering 14 weekly flights. In order to further improve the hub function of Amsterdam, KLM is increasing frequencies to Prague, Berlin, Birmingham, Leeds-Bradford, Aalborg, Budapest and Luxembourg. KLM is suspending its operations to Cologne in Germany.

North America, strengthening its position on the key markets

KLM will offer an additional flight operated 3 times weekly to Salt Lake City, which is one of Delta Air Lines’ hubs, complementary to the Delta daily service. In Summer 16, in conjunction with Delta operations, Salt Lake City from Amsterdam is served up to 10 times a week. To the West Coast, KLM is adding a second flight twice weekly to San Francisco operated with the newest aircraft Boeing 787 Dreamliner. San Francisco is now served with up to 9 weekly frequencies from Amsterdam. Furthermore, KLM is increasing frequencies to Los Angeles by proposing up to 14 flights a week. In the meantime, KLM is adjusting its capacity to the demand market with the suspension of the Amsterdam Dallas flight and the second Amsterdam-Houston flight. KLM is also strengthening its partnerships in this region. KLM, jointly with Delta Airlines, is adding Jet Airways as a new code sharing partner to its North America destinations. KLM is enhancing its cooperation with WestJet by the addition of new code shares destinations via its subsidiary WestJet Encore.

Central and South America, adapting to the market dynamics

In the Caribbean, KLM will increase from 4 to 5 weekly frequencies to Havana, with a bigger aircraft Airbus A330-300, in order to accommodate the increasing number of tourists to Cuba. KLM is also increasing its extra flights to Curacao after the holiday season. KLM will keep on flying to Rio de Janeiro with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In addition, KLM will continue to make use of its key partnerships in the region, including Copa Airlines from Panama and GOL in Brazil.

Africa, optimizing the network

KLM is offering an additional 3^rd frequency to Luanda (Angola), jointly increasing the AFKL offer to 6 weekly flights from Paris and Amsterdam hubs. In South Africa, KLM will increase from 5 to 7 weekly frequencies to Cape Town. Given the market dynamics in East Africa, KLM is redesigning its network: KLM will increase the number of circle flights to Kilimanjaro/Dar-El-Salaam and Kigali/Entebbe from 4 weekly frequencies to a daily frequency, enabling KLM to maintain a daily flight to each destination while reducing exposure in the region with less direct flights. KLM will continue to build on the strength of the Kenya Airways network in East Africa and further develop its connecting opportunities beyond Nairobi.

Asia and Middle-East, seizing opportunities and reinforcing partnerships

KLM will expand its services to Kazakhstan by combining the current Almaty flights with service to the capital Astana, served 4 times weekly with a circle flight. In the Middle East the flights between daily Abu Dhabi-Bahrain and 5 weekly Doha-Muscat will be changed into daily Abu Dhabi-Muscat and 5 weekly Doha-Bahrain. In addition, KLM continues to reinforce cooperation with Etihad to offer customers a wider choice of connecting flights.

Given the new market dynamics, KLM is proposing a second flight to Kuala Lumpur three times weekly starting from peak summer. In Japan, where the market has still not fully recovered from the economic slowdown and the Paris attacks, KLM will therefore reduce its frequencies to Tokyo Narita from 11 to 8 frequencies in the peak summer. Moreover, KLM has suspended its service to Fukuoka since January 16. KLM will increase its frequencies to Shanghai by offering up to 13 weekly flights, following the increasing market demand. Chengdu, Hangzhou and Xiamen will benefit from an improved product with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Focus on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

As of Summer 16, the new generation Boeing 787 Dreamliner will, partially or totally, fly to the following destinations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Cairo, Cape Town, San Francisco, Toronto, Rio de Janeiro, Osaka, Delhi, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu, and Shanghai.