KLM has reached an agreement with Dutch health authorities on air crew COVID-19 testing, averting the suspension of European night-stop flights and the airline’s entire long-haul network.
KLM is reviewing its long-haul routes from the Netherlands and may suspend them from Jan. 22 following the introduction of tougher measures in the country designed to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Network airlines with efficient hub structures will be central to the aviation industry’s recovery and lead the rebuild of long-haul traffic, according to KLM CEO Pieter Elbers.
Tougher travel restrictions imposed across parts of Europe to help curb a second wave of COVID-19 cases have forced KLM to cut its planned seat capacity and flight frequencies.
The Dutch government has given the go-ahead for a €3.4 billion ($4 billion) bailout to help KLM weather the COVID-19 crisis after a pilots union agreed to conditions set by the government, removing a last-minute obstacle to the funding.
The Dutch government has failed to approve a restructuring plan for flag-carrier KLM after unions refused to agree to make salary commitments for the duration of the planned state aid package.
Vice presidents and heads of network planning teams have registered for the event that will support the community in reshaping the world’s route networks.
Chief executives from some of the world’s leading airlines will be in attendance at Routes Reconnected to discuss the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their business models and how they intend to rebuild passenger demand.
With backing from KLM and Airbus, the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands has tested its Flying-V concept for an ultra-efficient airliner by conducting the first flight of a subscale model.
Dutch airline KLM said it would cut 4,500-5,000 jobs as it embarks on a post-COVID-19 road to recovery that is set to be “long and fraught with uncertainty.”
Routes analyzes some of the services returning as well as new routes being launched. This week we look at the resumption of Finnair flights to China, OWG's debut services and KLM's adjustments in the Persian Gulf.