Amsterdam: Dutch airline KLM announced on Tuesday that it will cancel around 100 flights scheduled for Wednesday after ground staff declared a two-hour strike. The decision is expected to affect nearly 27,000 passengers, with ripple effects likely across the airline’s wider European and international network.
The strike, organised by unions that rejected an earlier labour agreement, is set to take place during the busy morning schedule at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. KLM explained that the action will primarily impact ground services, including baggage handling and aircraft preparation, making normal operations impossible for a significant portion of its schedule.
Adding to passenger concerns, unions have already announced plans for an extended four-hour strike on September 17, signalling that the current disruption may only be the beginning of a broader standoff between staff and management. Negotiations have been ongoing for months, but disagreements over pay scales, workload, and working conditions remain unresolved.
KLM stressed that it has been working to limit the fallout, but acknowledged that the cancellations will inevitably cause delays and inconvenience. The airline has begun notifying affected travellers and is offering options for rebooking or refunds. However, the knock-on effects of cancelled flights could lead to wider disruptions throughout the day, particularly for connecting passengers.
The dispute highlights the growing labour unrest within the European aviation industry. Airlines across the continent have faced a wave of strikes this year, driven by concerns over staffing shortages, rising operational pressures, and inflation-linked demands for higher wages. For KLM, which is part of the Franco-Dutch Air France–KLM group, the challenge comes at a time when the company is trying to stabilise its operations after a turbulent summer of travel disruptions.
Despite the setback, KLM praised employees who remain committed to ensuring safe and reliable operations, while expressing hope that dialogue with striking unions can still resume. Yet with union leaders warning of continued industrial action, travellers may face further uncertainty in the coming weeks.