KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is proud to announce a multi-year partnership with Toronto Football Club (TFC) as the team’s official international airline. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in KLM’s commitment to Ontario, building on the airline’s longstanding legacy of connecting Ontarians to destinations worldwide.
By partnering with Toronto FC, KLM aims to deepen its ties within the community and provide fans of the beautiful game with even more memorable experiences in the years to come.
KLM Tunnel Club Entrance (CNW Group/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)
As part of the partnership, KLM will proudly be the title sponsor of the Tunnel Club, affectionately known as the heartbeat of BMO Field. Nestled just steps away from the TFC locker room, the KLM Tunnel Club serves as the epicenter of matchday excitement, where the rhythm of anticipation builds before each kickoff. Drawing inspiration from the renowned KLM Crown Lounges in Amsterdam as well as the newly renovated one at Toronto Pearson Airport, KLM will reimagine the space to provide an unmatched experience for fans.
In addition to the Tunnel Club, KLM will launch a season-long contest open to the public, giving fans the chance to win seats in the KLM field side section, access to the KLM Tunnel Club and airline tickets anywhere in the world where KLM flies. The winning fans will get to experience the pulse of the game firsthand. This initiative embodies KLM’s commitment to being a part of the heartbeat of Toronto FC, supporting it proud and true through every match.
KLM recently launched its latest brand platform, KLM Travel Well. This platform is designed to inspire and enable travelers to make more meaningful connections with people, places and experiences when they travel.
With this platform, KLM is calling on people to move beyond the “well-traveled” autopilot that emphasizes ticking off destinations to a true “meaningful travel” experience that prioritizes real connections with people, places and experiences.
Recent research conducted by KLM with Norstat indicates that people want to change how they travel: 3 out of 4 travelers indicate they would like to travel more meaningfully on their next trip, especially Gen Z and Millennials. According to the research, a shift in travel mindset is observed: 97% of Chinese travelers express a desire for meaningful experiences on their next trip with 89% prioritizing meaningful connections with people and places over simply visiting destinations. For them, meaningful travel is all about connecting with their own self, connecting with the natural environment and enjoying spontaneity.
The decision to launch Travel Well resonates with traveler’s needs and stems from KLM’s commitment to enhancing the meaningfulness of every traveler’s journey. Guided by Travel Well, KLM will continue to prioritize genuine connections with travelers, embedding thoughtfulness and care about each and every journey into all aspects of the KLM experience: to do our own small part in creating more meaningful – and therefore more memorable and enjoyable – travel experiences.
KLM, an enabler to a more connected and meaningful travel experience
KLM strives to inspire travelers to explore new destinations and embrace diverse cultures, while facilitating opportunities for meaningful connections along the way. By introducing next-generation aircraft, integrating AI technology, offering more spacious seating, fine dining, augmented entertainment and other service upgrades both on the ground and in the air, we ensure enhanced comfort for every traveler. In addition, through our travel guides, curated recommendations for places and activities, we enable travelers to delve deeper into the cultural fabric of their destinations, weaving connections with local communities and experiences.
KLM offers travelers the opportunity to purchase an additional SAF contribution during booking, which helps to reduce air travel’s dependence on fossil fuels and makes a meaningful contribution to sustainable air travel.
The Travel Well platform is just the beginning of KLM’s multi-year commitment to enable people to make more meaningful connections with people, places and experiences while traveling. KLM has been committed to providing world-class service to its Chinese customers since its first commercial flight to China in 1948. In the Spring/Summer 2024 season, KLM will operate 23 weekly passenger flights to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol from March 31 to October 26, from 4 destinations in Greater China: Beijing (7 weekly flights), Shanghai (7 weekly flights), Hong Kong (4 weekly flights) and Taipei (5 weekly flights). The flights will be operated with Boeing 777 and 787-9 aircraft.
For its winter 2022-2023 schedule, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will offer the following flights from Kuala Lumpurand Jakarta as of 31 October 2022.
From Kuala Lumpur, KLM offers four weekly non-stop flights to Amsterdam and will also resume four weekly flights to Jakarta.
From Jakarta, KLM offers four weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur and will increase its frequency to four weekly flights to Amsterdam via Kuala Lumpur.
KLM also offers daily flight options from both Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta via Singapore with our interline partners.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic until April 2020, KLM offered daily flights from Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.
KLM’s Country Manager for Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, Mrs. Estee Ng commented,
“After suspending flights for 2,5 years due to the COVID crisis, we are delighted to resume our direct flights again to Amsterdam from Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The resumption means more choice for our customers to connect between Europe and South East Asia.”
Flight schedule between Kuala Lumpur –Amsterdam / Jakarta – Amsterdam
KLM and the Dutch Airline Pilots Association (VNV) have reached an agreement in principle on a new collective labour agreement (CLA), effective March 1, 2022 through 1 March 2023, for pilots covered by the CLA for KLM cockpit crew. KLM is satisfied with the result. This will ensure calm and stability for the coming year and reflects KLM’s current circumstances. KLM and VNV will now finalise the protocol texts, which VNV will then present to their members’ council for approval.
KLM has ensured that the new CLA takes account of price developments in the Netherlands. A wage clause specifying a 2% increase effective 1 October 2022 and further 2% effective 1 March 2023 has been agreed. This reflects agreements recently reached with the trade unions representing ground personnel.
We also reached an agreement with VNV on productivity and flexibility in the coming period.
The existing international commuting arrangement for pilots has been discontinued. Pilots who live outside the Netherlands will now pay for their flights when commuting to work.
KLM employees will receive one-off payment when KLM no longer has a credit facility with government guarantees. This payment acknowledges the concerted effort made by KLM staff in the face of recent challenges.
Despite KLM’s successful recovery, the future remains uncertain due to factors such as high inflation, rising costs, uncertainties surrounding coronavirus and scarcity in the job market. KLM must therefore continue to cut costs structurally. The negotiating parties agreed to return to the table if the situation so demands in the coming period.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will take various measures (some supplementing existing measures) to ensure that customers who book a flight with KLM get their summer holidays off to a good start, despite persistent operational challenges at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol due to the shortage of airport security staff. The measures will take effect from today (July 8) through August 28, 2022.
Work pressure at the airport is currently relentless as Schiphol and KLM are both faced with staff shortages. KLM’s measures are intended to restore operational stability, thereby relieving pressure on staff at Schiphol and KLM.
Through August 28, 2022, we will cancel 10 to 20 return flights to European destinations every day.
We will also strongly restrict the sale of remaining seats on KLM and KLM Cityhopper flights to European destinations. This will free up space for customers who are rebooked if their flight is cancelled. This measure will supplement the existing restriction on sales, in order to accommodate passengers who have to be rebooked after missing their flight due to long queues at Schiphol and to comply with restrictions Schiphol has imposed on the number of passengers boarding locally.
Customers who can’t fly will be informed in a timely manner and rebooked onto a different flight. In most cases, this flight will depart on the same day or as close as possible to the original booking. Passengers will not have to contact KLM for this purpose, but will be informed by KLM or their travel agent.
Cargo will not longer be booked and loaded onto KLM Cityhopper flights. This will reduce work pressure for handling staff on the ground.
We will also close the belly compartment for loose packages and mail bags aboard flights bound for intercontinental destinations. This loose bulk freight will be placed in containers, which will be brought in via the apron, making them easier to load onto the aircraft.
Measures relating to airfreight will remain in place until the end of the summer schedule (29 October).
KLM is confident that these measures will ensure smooth handling of incoming and outgoing flights in the coming weeks. KLM reasserts that these measures are temporary.
Air France-KLM announced on July 5 the signing of an agreement with CFM International for the acquisition of 200 LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of Airbus A320neo and A321neo.
This decision follows the Group’s order, last December, of 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft – with purchase rights for 60 additional aircraft, to renew the fleets of KLM and Transavia Netherlands, and to renew and expand the fleet of Transavia France.
Manufactured by CFM International – a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines – the LEAP-1A, contributes as a latest-generation engine to the global performance and efficiency of the Airbus A320neo aircraft family.
CFM International already provides engines for the Group’s Boeing 737 NG (CFM56-7B) and Airbus A320ceo (CFM56-5B) fleets.
KLM was able to operate flights on Sunday according to the original schedule for this Whitsun holiday weekend. Furthermore, by the end of the afternoon, more than 90% of the passengers who had been unable to fly to Amsterdam on Saturday evening had arrived at their destination, or been rebooked.
The number of passengers being rebooked is currently rising, which means that nearly all passengers have now been offered an alternative.
KLM expects its flights to operate on schedule on Whit Monday, June 6, 2022, as they did on Sunday.
KLM would like to stress that the decision to suspend passenger flights to or via Amsterdam on Saturday evening was extremely difficult and one that was not taken lightly. Unforeseen and acute circumstances beyond our control compelled us to intervene in this way. Unfavourable weather conditions combined with runway maintenance at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol led air traffic control to reduce capacity further on Saturday evening. Many aircraft were consequently unable to land in or depart from Amsterdam. This led to a build up of passengers at Schiphol, causing large queues to form. In the interests of guaranteeing safety at Schiphol and maintaining a manageable situation at the airport, it was not possible for KLM to bring passengers to Schiphol in a responsible manner.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is going through a very tough period.
The airline issued this statement:
At the end of Saturday afternoon, 4 June, 2022 KLM was regrettably compelled to decide that passengers at European destinations would no longer be allowed to board flights to Amsterdam.
Although a substantial package of measures was taken before the weekend, KLM has faced unforeseen and urgent circumstances that are beyond its control.
Due to unfavorable weather conditions and runway maintenance at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, many aircraft couldn’t land or take off in Amsterdam.
This means a large number of KLM flights on Saturday were delayed or even cancelled. The number of passengers who were unable to depart from Amsterdam due to these external factors has increased sharply.
To ensure safe and workable operations at Schiphol for passengers and crew, KLM took the far-reaching decision that no further passengers would be brought to Amsterdam. This decision was taken to ensure that as many stranded passengers as possible can depart from Schiphol on Saturday and that KLM can operate as many flights as possible on Sunday.
“It’s incredibly unfortunate that on top of everything else today, we’re also dealing with reduced runway capacity at Schiphol as a result of unfavorable winds and runway maintenance. Despite intervening earlier to ensure workable operations this weekend, today has been another extremely difficult day for our passengers and crew. We are apologizing to our customers for the inconvenience and doing our utmost to ensure that we can return to workable operations as swiftly as possible.”
Rene de Groot – Chief Operating Officer
The decision to stop bringing passengers from European destinations to or via Amsterdam remained in force for the whole of Saturday. Looking at the current weather forecasts, KLM does not expect to continue stopping passengers flying from European destinations into Amsterdam on Sunday and expects to run the operation as planned.
KLM offers its sincere apologies to passengers who were unable to travel to Amsterdam from certain European destinations, as well as those who were unable to transfer via Amsterdam to other final destinations.
We understand that this decision has great impact on passengers, particularly during the Whit Monday weekend. KLM would like to stress that it is doing its utmost to offer passengers alternative flights as quickly as possible.
“KLM on Thursday said it would largely suspend sales of tickets for all flights leaving from Amsterdam Schiphol airport until Monday as the airport grapples with overcrowding due to a shortage of security staff.
Lines at Schiphol, Europe’s third-busiest airport, have often stretched onto the streets in recent weeks, forcing travelers to wait for hours to clear security checks and causing many to miss their flights.”
Following announcement of the second step of equity strengthening measures at the Full Year 2021 results presentation, Air France-KLM announces that it has entered into exclusive discussions with Apollo Global Management regarding the injection of 500 million euros of capital to an operating affiliate of Air France, owning of a pool of spare engines of Air France dedicated to its Engeneering and Maintenance Activity.
The proceeds of the transaction would enable Air France-KLM and Air France to partially redeem the French State perpetual bonds, in accordance with the European Commission’s “Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current Covid-19 outbreak”, as well as facilitate the financing of future spare engine acquisitions under Air France’s fleet renewal program.
The structure will incur no change on operational and social aspects. Therefore, there will be no change in the way to use the spare engines, and no impact on Air France or Air France-KLM employees contracts.
The capital injected would be accounted as equity under IFRS, hence strengthening Air France-KLM’s and Air France’s balance sheet.
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