We regret that, largely due to factors beyond our control, our passengers were not informed about procedures and had to wait on board the aircraft for several hours. This meant that they did not receive the customer-friendly care they should be able to expect from us. We want to prevent this from happening again, which is why we want to sit down with the GGD municipal health authority and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to learn from this event and to improve procedures for our passengers.

We would like to offer our sincere apologies to all our passengers who were affected by this turn of events and would be happy to discuss what happened with them.

The entry ban does not apply for the repatriation of people carrying Dutch passports, EU citizens, Schengen residents, medical emergency staff, ships’ crew, airline staff and people travelling under exceptional circumstances, such as family emergencies.

Passengers in the above exceptional categories will have to comply with the following test requirements in order to travel:
- A negative PCR/NAAT test that is less than 24 hours old when going on board and less than 48 hours old when arriving the Netherlands, or a negative PCR/NAAT test that is less than 48 hours old before departure to the Netherlands, as well as a negative rapid test that is less than 24 hours old when boarding the flight;
- A compulsory 10-day quarantine on arrival in the Netherlands, reduced to five days if a negative test is obtained after five days via the GGD public health authorities in the Netherlands.

Effect of entry ban on KLM-flights

KLM will continue to fly to South Africa, operating its flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Amsterdam in compliance with the stricter protocol. KLM is taking the situation very seriously and will continue to prioritise the safety of passengers and crew. KLM will therefore impose strict on-board safety requirements for passengers and crew. This protocol will be in line with the requirements issued by the respective governments.

This morning two KLM flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg landed at Schiphol. All passengers were ushered off these flights to a special location at Schiphol where they are being tested. The disembarking and testing procedure is the responsibility of the GGD public health authorities.
 

Passengers who wish to rebook their flight, due to the prevailing circumstances, are welcome to do so in accordance with the flexible booking conditions that already apply.

How the interactive “Where can I fly to?” map works

To start planning a trip, customers can go to https://www.klm.nl/en/travel-guide/where-can-i-fly-to and fill in the airport or country of departure. They can then move around the interactive map to view the most up-to-date travel requirements for KLM destinations. Customers who have been vaccinated can click on the “I am fully vaccinated” button to view travel requirements suited to their status. Once they select a destination, they are directed to our TravelDoc website, where they can view detailed travel requirements for that location.

In addition to this service, KLM advises Dutch travellers to consult www.wijsopreis.nl for up-to-date travel advisories issued by the Dutch government.

KLM: Outstanding hygiene standards, flexible bookings and five stars from passengers

KLM believes in flying responsibly and sets the highest possible standards for hygiene before, during and after flights. It has been awarded the APEX Health Safety Diamond Award, the most prestigious health and safety distinction in the commercial airline industry. KLM also offers customers maximum flexibility when it comes to booking, changing or cancelling trips. Yet another feather in KLM’s cap is that it has retained its five-star APEX product and service rating, based on evaluations by passengers worldwide.

In a constantly changing world, we are seeing that more and more countries are making it obligatory for aircrews to be vaccinated, or are considering such a move. Trinidad & Tobago is introducing a vaccination obligation for aircrews on 16 October. Canada and other countries have also indicated that they are considering introducing a vaccination obligation for aircrews soon. Moreover, an increasing number of the hotels where our crews stay now expect to be shown proof of vaccination.

We expect more countries to introduce a vaccination obligation in the near future, which means we will be unable to deploy unvaccinated crew to these destinations. This may also apply to routes over countries that have a vaccination obligation for aircrews. This is due to strict flight safety requirements, which demand that it is always possible for a flight to change course and land in an emergency. For the time being, KLM will do its best to deploy crew with travel restrictions on flights to destinations that do not have entry requirements. But, as the number of countries with a vaccination obligation grows, so too will the associated operational complications for KLM.

KLM will not compel its staff to receive a Covid-19 vaccination. This remains an employee's personal choice. However, KLM does need to know which employees cannot meet certain entry requirements and who, consequently, cannot be deployed to all our destinations. Employees to whom this applies have been asked to report to KLM Health Services, who will communicate the travel restriction to the KLM planning department.

Health and fighting COVID-19 are paramount but the measures taken must be effective and proportionate. It looks like other EU member states, such as Italy, France and Belgium are not putting a triple lock on the door for travelers from the US.  

The decision by the Dutch government is a big step backwards for KLM. As a result, KLM is forced to remove the proposed new flights from Amsterdam to Orlando, Miami and Las Vegas this winter (October 31, 2021 through March 26, 2022) from its winter schedule until further notice. Travelers will be informed starting next week. 

Participation in Upload@Home is free and voluntary. With this innovative digital self-service, KLM wants to help its customers as best as possible with the complex entry regulations of the country of destination regarding COVID-19 travel documents.

How KLM's COVID-19 check | Upload@Home works

KLM's online check of COVID-19 documents is now available for all KLM flights to Amsterdam, and for KLM flights from or via Amsterdam to Curaçao, Dubai, Lima, St Martin, Istanbul, Germany and Spain. The number of destinations for which Upload@Home is available, is expected to increase in the near future. Customers who have booked a flight to one of these destinations and are eligible for this service will receive an invitation to participate. They collect the required documents and upload them up to five hours before departure. They will be sent the result by e-mail, usually within an hour. KLM staff performing the check are available between 06.00 and 22.00 CET.

At the airport

All customers who need COVID-19-related travel documents for their journey can collect their boarding pass and check in their baggage at the check-in desk at the airport. If they have had their documents checked online via Upload@Home beforehand, all they need to do is show their passport or ID card and any visa. However, KLM recommends always bringing hard copies of the required COVID-19-related documents with them to the airport, as customers may have to show them upon arrival at their destination.

Dry ice

Each of the various vaccines has its own temperature requirements: +2 to +8 degrees Celsius, frozen at ‑20 degrees Celsius, or between ‑70 and ‑80 degrees Celsius. It is vital that these temperatures are guaranteed throughout the entire transport operation. The Pfizer vaccine shipped to Bonaire and Aruba today has been packed with dry ice. This will keep it at the right temperature for several days, as long the containers are stored in an environment of between +2 to +25 degrees Celsius. Upon arrival on Bonaire and Aruba, the vaccines are immediately stored in a suitable temperature-controlled environment.

KLM has also implemented the flight ban from the United Kingdom, South Africa and South America to the Netherlands as of 23 January. Cargo flights are excepted in the government measures.

For passengers travelling to Amsterdam from high-risk areas antigen tests are required by the Dutch government, in addition to the already existing PCR test requirement. The necessary procedures have also been put into effect. For a number of customers, the imposed 4-hour limit for this antigen test also causes practical problems, because not all airports in the world have antigen testing facilities. KLM helps customers where possible.

The operation to the limited set of safe countries remains unchanged.

Keeping flight operations running in a safe and responsible manner is and remains KLM's priority, also since the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020. This has enabled us to maintain essential travel, repatriation and the transport of necessary cargo so far. In addition, KLM has taken numerous measures on board, such as HEPA filters, facemasks and adjustment of the onboard service. The safety and health of our customers and staff have the highest priority for KLM. KLM also wants to continue to contribute to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, consultation remains necessary on effective and practicable appropriate measures for aviation, taking into account international agreements.

An appeal to our travellers

We urge our travellers to adhere to the coronavirus safety measures. Maintain a 1.5-metre distance, wash your hands regularly, do not travel if you have symptoms, and wear a face mask at Schiphol and on board the plane. We also strongly urge people who drop travellers off at the airport to not enter the terminal. We will strictly monitor compliance with these measures.

This way, we work together in making sure that necessary trips can go ahead and that the connections for passengers and cargo, that are so important to the Netherlands, can be maintained.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Schiphol Group

KLM

BARIN

The COVID-tested flights will operate four times per week from Atlanta to Amsterdam, with Delta and KLM operating two frequencies each. Only passengers with negative test results will be accepted on-board. The flights will initially run for three weeks and if successful, the airlines hope to extend the program to other markets.

Customers will be able to choose the COVID-tested flights when they purchase their tickets online or opt for one of the alternative Delta or KLM daily flights between Atlanta and Amsterdam that are not covered within the trial program.

“Creating COVID-free travel corridors, in addition to the multiple layers of safety and hygiene measures we have implemented through the Delta CareStandard, will provide customers – and authorities – greater confidence that they can stay healthy when flying,” said Steve Sear, Delta President – International and Executive Vice President - Global Sales. “Delta has worked with our partners and health authorities to reopen the skies safely and resume international air travel until a vaccine is in place removing the requirement of quarantine.”

Entry requirements for the Netherlands normally include ten days of quarantine. However, by completing a negative PCR test 5 days before arrival in the Netherlands and self-isolating until departure, customers can choose to complete the quarantine ahead of their departing flight. No quarantine will be required upon arrival once the customer tests negative via a second PCR test at Schiphol airport.

This new protocol will be available to all citizens permitted to travel to the Netherlands for essential reasons, such as for certain specified work, health and education reasons Customers who are transiting via Amsterdam to other countries will still be required to follow entry requirements and any mandatory quarantine in place at their final destination.

Royal Schiphol Group CEO Dick Benschop said: “This is an important step to validate that test regimes make safe and responsible air travel possible while reducing the need for travel bans and long quarantine measures. We thank the Dutch Government and our partners”

To fly on Delta and KLM’s COVID-tested flights from Atlanta to Amsterdam, customers will need to:

• Take a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test 5 days before arrival in Amsterdam.
• Take a Rapid antigen prior to boarding at Atlanta Airport.
• Take a PCR test directly upon arrival at Schiphol.

About Delta’s COVID response click here: https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-update-center/overview

About KLM’s COVID response click here: https://www.klm.nl/en/information/faq

About Schiphol and the coronavirus click here: https://www.schiphol.nl/en/page/coronavirus/

Around 15 billion vaccines are expected to be distributed worldwide. Many of these will have to be transported at very low temperatures. For example, the Pfizer vaccine must be stored frozen (at -70°C degrees Celsius). Other vaccines should be distributed at a constant temperature between +2 and +8°C. AFKLMP Cargo has developed logistic solutions with its partners to ensure the quality of the vaccines throughout the distribution chain and is ready for it.

More information in this press release.

In terms of intercontinental service, the number of passenger flights will be around 50-60% of pre-corona levels. If we include our cargo-only services, we will be operating around 65% of our flights.

Network strategy

During the course of the pandemic, KLM strategically opted to restore service to as many of its network destinations as possible. In response to the prevailing circumstances, we are doing so with fewer flights and smaller aircraft. This means our customers have the widest possible choice of destinations, enabling us to maintain our network through our Amsterdam hub. We are also serving many of our intercontinental destinations on a cargo-only basis, in compliance with current travel restrictions.

This strategy has proved successful in recent months and has ensured that we did not have to trim our network as rigorously as some other airlines. August and September showed clear signs of recovery.

Regrettably, the second wave has led to new restrictions throughout Europe, not just in the Netherlands. Capacity will therefore be trimmed again into the coming period. KLM will maintain its existing network strategy, even adding several new destinations. Depending on developments, further adjustments will be made in the coming period.

New destinations

The corona pandemic confirms that a flexible network is very important. By opening new routes, we can make up for declining demand on other routes. KLM also strengthens its market position whenever it adds a new destination to its network. The following services have been recently added or will be added in the coming months:

• Effective 4 January, KLM will operate four weekly flights to Riyadh (Saudi-Arabia);
• Effective 10 December, KLM will operate twice-weekly service to Zanzibar, with a stop in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) on the return leg to Amsterdam;
• Since 8 November, we have operated thrice-daily service to the new airport Berlin Brandenburg (Germany);
• On 29 October, KLM resumed its circle flight Amsterdam-Calgary-Edmonton-Amsterdam, thus restoring service to Edmonton;
• Since 25 October, we have operated daily service to Poznan (Poland);
• Since 24 October, KLM has resumed weekly service from Amsterdam to Chengdu and from Beijing to Amsterdam.

The basic principle of the restructuring plan is that KLM’s existing business model is still valid and valuable, but that far-reaching, structural initiatives are required to ensure KLM’s future success. Owing to the effects of the corona pandemic, KLM is preparing for an extended period during which fewer flights will be operated. The organisation will become smaller and less costly, as well as more sustainable, economical and efficient.

As KLM plays such an important economic and societal role in the Netherlands, the government has offered the airline a loan package, to which it has attached certain conditions. One condition is that KLM staff should contribute to KLM’s restructuring by accepting reduced employment conditions, amounting to income-dependent, graduated cutbacks of up to 20%. These reduced conditions will apply for the duration of the loan period.

KLM has now reached agreement with all unions for ground, cockpit and cabin staff on key principles of this plan for the period through 2022. This includes the unions VNC and FNV Cabine in the cabin domain and the unions FNV Luchtvaart, CNV, De Unie, VKP and NVLT in the ground domain, as well as the Dutch Airline Pilots Association VNV in the cockpit domain.

One of the other conditions imposed by the government is a 15% reduction in controllable costs. The KLM Works Council has been asked to advise on the downsizing and further simplification of the KLM organisation. In addition, there are more than 70 initiatives that will mainly reduce external costs. Significant cost savings will be achieved by phasing out leased aircraft and deploying a more efficient fleet. KLM is also meeting with suppliers and chain partners to contribute to cost reduction.

In terms of labour costs, KLM has already achieved savings by shedding jobs. KLM has already downsized by way of various measures, including non-renewal of short-term contracts (1,500 jobs) and a voluntary resignation scheme (2,000 jobs). By the end of the year, KLM will employ around 4,500 fewer people than it did before the corona pandemic.

Regrettably, further cutbacks cannot be excluded in view of the magnitude and gravity of the crisis. KLM has also reached agreement on a social plan with trade unions for ground personnel and cabin crew. The existing collective labour agreement for cockpit crew already provides a social plan.

Furthermore, KLM will reopen a voluntary resignation scheme targeting specific divisions and departments in order to minimise involuntary dismissals.

The KLM Works Council has reviewed and evaluated 37 requests for advice. The restructuring plan is ambitious and pressure ran high leading up to 1 October. The constructive contribution of divisional staff representatives and the Works Council deserves high praise. The Works Council’s positive advice on restructuring plans was subject to the successful negotiation of a social plan.

KLM was gradually and responsibly expanding its European and intercontinental network, after the corona crisis had prompted severe restrictions on destinations and frequencies. KLM’s primary aim is to offer customers the widest range of destinations, after which we will consider increasing the number of frequencies or expanding capacity by deploying larger aircraft.

In August, KLM served almost 100% of its European network in terms of destinations, with capacity at approximately 60% compared to pre-corona levels. Effective 25 October 2020, KLM will begin operating daily flights to the Polish city of Poznan.

Intercontinentally, KLM served 80% of its destinations at 60% capacity. At present, a third of these intercontinental flights are carrying cargo only. This means seat capacity is way down. KLM will carry passengers on these flights again as soon as local travel regulations allow.

From the beginning of September, KLM will resume a twice-weekly service to the Chinese city of Hangzhou, flying via Seoul Incheon in South Korea. KLM will also operate a twice-weekly service to Cairo. Riyadh will also be added to the KLM network as a new destination (original start was September 26th, but is now scheduled for December 7th). On 29 October, KLM will also start a circle flight to add Edmonton back to the Canadian network. The flight will depart to Calgary, then call at Edmonton and fly back to Amsterdam.

Slot Waiver 

It is good news that the European Commission has announced the extension of the so-called 'slot waiver' to the entire winter timetable. It will enable KLM to respond more adequately to the rapidly changing market conditions as a result of COVID-19, even during the winter season. In addition to the financial impact, operating less well-filled flights would also be undesirable from a sustainability perspective.

Safety remains our chief priority

KLM has, of course, taken measures to ensure that its flights are safe for passengers and crew. Face masks are compulsory throughout boarding and during the flight. Extra hygiene measures have been taken on board and our aircraft are now cleaned even more thoroughly. The air on board is constantly refreshed with the aid of HEPA filters. For further information about our hygiene measures, please visit updates.klm.com or watch this video: 

https://youtu.be/frPO6b58kcU

Naturally, KLM will make adjustments in response to changing circumstances, whenever new measures are taken in the countries we serve.

Prospects for the airline industry – and KLM in particular – are uncertain. Different countries are now beginning to tighten their more relaxed travel restrictions. This is making customers more cautious when it comes to booking a ticket. In all scenarios, demand is only expected to recover by 2023 or 2024 at the earliest. The degree and speed of recovery will depend on a number of factors including the development of the virus, economic recovery and customer travel behaviour.

Adjusting to the new reality

Government support in the form of a direct state loan and guaranteed bank credit facilities amounting to a maximum of €3.4 billion will enable KLM to navigate the crisis in the forthcoming period. KLM is extremely grateful for this support provided by means of the loan. In order to guarantee KLM’s existence in the longer term, the airline must adapt its size to the new reality. KLM therefore finds itself compelled to reduce its workforce down to the number needed for the planned operation in 2021/2022. Of the current total of 33,000 FTEs in the entire KLM Group, the workforce must be reduced by 4,500 to 5,000 FTEs to 28,000 FTEs in the course of 2021.

KLM’s size is already becoming smaller – and will continue to be reduced – based on the current measures, which include the non-renewal of temporary contracts (1,500 FTEs) and the Voluntarily Departure Scheme (2,000 FTEs). Additionally, natural attrition (500 FTEs) through retirement and the like in 2020 and 2021 will also contribute to the reduction needed.

Hence, despite the measures already taken, even fewer people will be needed at KLM in the years ahead. Additionally, for positions on the ground we also need to deal with some mismatch in functional skills and capabilities.

Unfortunately, for this reason and taking into account the mismatch, alternative solutions will have to be found for ca. 1,500 positions. This relates to up to 500 ground positions, 300 cabin crew positions and 300 cockpit positions and approximately 400 positions at KLM subsidiaries and Air France-KLM group functions.

Given the high level of uncertainty, KLM keeps open the possibility of further reductions in case the production levels will be revised further down for 2021/2022 than the -20% planned now.

Trade unions and Works Council

KLM’s reorganisation plans tie in with organisation-wide changes at Air France KLM. In the forthcoming period, KLM will be cooperating closely with the trade unions to draft a social plan for each collective labour agreement domain and subsidiary, as well as maintaining close consultation with the Works Council about further defining the reorganisation. This will include a more detailed specification of the conditions set by the Dutch government on issuing the financing package. Expectations are that this will be finished in its entirety in the course of October.

With the reopening of the Amsterdam-Shanghai route, KLM emphasizes the importance of the Chinese market in its network. The warm ties were the reason for Economic Counselor Chinese Embassy Mr. Zhang Guosheng and KLM's CEO Mr. Pieter Elbers to see this first flight off.

Photos: Mr. Zhang Guosheng, Economic Counselor Chinese Embassy and Mr. Pieter Elbers, president & CEO KLM, see the first passenger flight from KLM to Shanghai off on Tuesday 21 July.

Additional hygiene measures

Naturally, KLM has taken measures to ensure that the flight is safe for both passengers and crew. For example, face masks are mandatory when boarding and during the flight, there are extra hygiene equipment on board, such as hand sanitizer, and KLM's aircraft are thoroughly cleaned. The air on board is quickly refreshed using HEPA filters. For more information about the hygiene measures on board, see this video: https://youtu.be/frPO6b58kcU

KLM naturally complies with the strict requirements set by the Chinese government for the resumption of international flights. This means that passengers must complete a health declaration form online and that the temperature of passengers is checked. The toilets, for example, are also inspected extra frequently during the flight. Furthermore, there are as few contact moments as possible between crew and passengers, which means there is limited catering available on these flights.

KLM Schengen Lounge

In the wake of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, KLM was compelled to close its Schengen Lounge in March. Effective 1 July and in accordance with guidelines published by the Dutch health authorities (RIVM), the Schengen Lounge will again be open to customers travelling within Europe throughout the week from 06:00 until 12:00 hours. 

Temporary measures in the KLM Schengen Lounge in connection with Covid-19:

*Opening hours: daily from 06:00 to 12:00 hours;

*After closing at 12:00 hours, customers are most welcome in the KLM Non-Schengen Crown Lounge;

*Extra hand sanitiser dispensers are available and more frequent cleaning will take place;

*Special walkways have been demarcated, along with protective partitions and banners / signs;

*More pre-packed fresh products will be available. The buffet will remain closed temporarily. We kindly request that customers use trays from the pick-up point in the lounge to select food & beverage products;

*The showers have reopened;

*By law, the smoking area was definitively closed effective 1 April.

KLM Non-Schengen Crown Lounge 

Passengers travelling internationally with KLM or one of its partner airlines are welcome to use all the facilities available at the KLM Non-Schengen Crown Lounge. Only the Blue Restaurant remains closed for the time being. KLM reopened its fully refurbished Non-Schengen Crown Lounge last year. The lounge offers visitors an unforgettable experience based on top-notch service levels, new food & beverage concepts and the application of innovative technologies.

Temporary measures in the KLM Non-Schengen Lounge in connection with Covid-19:

*Extra hand sanitiser dispensers are available and more frequent cleaning will take place;

*Special walkways have been demarcated (using arrows and stickers on the ground), along with protective partitions and banners / signs;

*Food & beverage products have been available since 1 June;

*The City and Heineken Bar reopened on 1 June;

*More pre-packed fresh products will be available. The buffet will remain closed temporarily. We kindly request that customers use trays from the pick-up point in the lounge to select food & beverage products;

*Customers can select food & beverage products downstairs and enjoy them there or at the Blue Bar upstairs;

*The terrace has reopened; 

*A dedicated “wellness host” will be present to ensure that everything runs smoothly;

*The sleep cabins and (luxury) showers are again open for use;

*While “service on the spot” will not yet be available in the lounge, it is available at the service desk; 

*By law, the smoking area was definitively closed effective 1 April.

KLM welcomes customers back to its lounges.

After careful discussions with both the Dutch state and banks, KLM has agreed on the structure of a financing package to ensure liquidity. The financing package and the conditions under which this package is provided by the Dutch state are subject to parliamentary approval in the Netherlands. The financing package should also be approved by the European Commission under the Temporary Framework for State aid measures introduced in the context of COVID-19.

Once this approval has been obtained, KLM will consult with trade unions to work out and detail together the conditions that the government imposes on the employment conditions of KLM employees.

The financing package consists of:

• A 90% State guaranteed revolving credit facility of EUR 2.4 billion with a maturity of 5 years. The facility is granted by 11 banks, of which three Dutch banks and eight foreign banks.

• A direct State loan of EUR 1 billion with a maturity of 5.5 years. The loan, provided by the Dutch State, will be subordinated to the revolving credit facility.

Following the completion of the parliamentary process, the first EUR 665 million drawing under the new revolving credit facility will be used to repay and terminate the existing revolving credit facility drawn on 19 March 2020. At that time, KLM will also withdraw a pro rata amount (EUR 277 million) from the direct State loan. Follow-up withdrawals under both the revolving credit facility and the direct State loan are only possible if certain conditions imposed by the State are met.

KLM will therefore draw up a restructuring plan that meets these conditions and determines the path for post-COVID-19 recovery. The plan also aims to review KLM's current activities and adapt KLM to the changed economic reality.

Further information on the financing package

Revolving credit facility

• A revolving credit facility of EUR 2.4 billion, granted by 11 banks, of which three Dutch banks and eight international banks.
• The main features include:
  • 90% guarantee granted by the Dutch state
  • Maturity of 5 years
  • Coupon at an annual rate equal to EURIBOR (floored at zero) plus a margin of 1.35%
  • A cost of guarantee granted by the Dutch state equal to 0.50% in year 1, 1.00% in year 2 and 3, and 2.00% after year 3

Direct state loan

• A direct term loan of EUR 1.0 billion, granted by the Dutch state to KLM.
• The main features include:
  • Maturity of 5.5 years
  • Coupon payable annually at a rate equal to EURIBOR 12 months (floored at zero) plus a margin of 6.25% for year 1, 6.75% for year 2 and 3, and 7.75% for year 4 and 5
  • Subordination to the new revolving credit facility

The revolving credit facility and the direct loan will be drawn on a pro rata basis. KLM’s first drawing under the new revolving credit facility will be used to repay and terminate the existing revolving credit facility drawn on 19 March 2020 for an amount of 665 million euros. At that time, KLM will also withdraw a pro rata amount from the direct State loan. Follow-up withdrawals under both the revolving credit facility and the direct State loan are only possible if certain conditions imposed by the State are met.

The syndicated revolving credit facility was coordinated by the three Dutch banks: ABN, ING and Rabobank. KLM received financial advice from Rabobank and legal advice from Allen & Overy LLP.