KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has made this announcement:
KLM is gradually and carefully restarting its network. In July, KLM operates 5,000 European flights. The forecast for August is 11,000. Intercontinental numbers are around 1,900 in July and 2,100 in August. At the moment, about half of the intercontinental flights are cargo-only. KLM hopes that – if worldwide travel restrictions are relaxed – an increasing number of intercontinental flights will be allowed to carry passengers again from July onwards.
The number of flights shows considerable growth compared to April, when KLM’s flight operations came to a virtual standstill as a result of the coronavirus crisis. KLM operated 1,116 flights within Europe and 612 intercontinental flights in April.
The recovery has therefore started cautiously, but the level of 2019 is far from being approached. In the months of July and August last year, KLM operated a total of some 22,000 flights. Moreover, the occupancy rate lags behind the record year of 2019.
Number of destinations: as much choice as possible for the customer
The number of destinations shows a slightly different picture. KLM has opted to restart as many destinations as possible first in order to offer customers a wide choice and then to increase frequencies and capacity.
This means that in July around 80 percent of the normal number of European destinations and around 75 percent of intercontinental destinations will be offered. In August this will be around 95 percent and 80 percent respectively.
It should be noted that, here too, about half of intercontinental flights currently only carry cargo and therefore no passengers. When international travel restrictions are relaxed, KLM will of course start carrying passengers to these destinations again.
KLM on May 27 started taking part in a trial at Schiphol to test sustainable ways to taxi aircraft. The trial is being carried out with a Taxibot. This is a hybrid towing vehicle which, unlike the normal pushback trucks, is licenced to tow full aircraft to near the start of the runway, without the aircraft having to start its engines. This is expected to reduce fuel consumption during taxiing by 50% to 85%. Schiphol Airport has made the Taxibot available to KLM, Transavia and Corendon to enable them to carry out joint research into more sustainable ways to taxi.
During the test, an empty KLM Boeing 737 was towed to the runway by the Taxibot. “It’s important to find out how far we can cut CO2 emissions by using the Taxibot,” explained KLM’s project manager, Jeroen Jaartsveld. “We’d also like to know how long it takes to taxi with the Taxibot, what effect this has on aircraft engine maintenance, and how we might introduce sustainable taxiing with Taxibots on a large scale into Schiphol’s daily operations.”
Fly Responsibly
KLM’s sustainability initiative, Fly Responsibly, launched last year, included a commitment to reducing carbon emissions caused by taxiing. This will contribute to KLM’s ambition to cut its fleet’s total carbon emissions by 15% compared to 2005.
Large wide body airliners (like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747) have been hard to fill for airlines since the COVID-19 pandemic exploded around the world this spring. Many airlines have parked their Jumbos and some have moved up the planned retirement dates of the Boeing 747-400.
If you want to fly on the passenger type you better hurry. Other than governments and cargo operators, finding a passenger Boeing 747-400 flight is a challenge right now.
Some aircraft in storage will probably become active again when the passenger demand dictates the use of large wide body aircraft again. If the demand does not come back quickly it will probably mean the end of those aircraft in storage.
Above Photos: Boeing.
Below is the current situation based on the latest information for passenger airlines (corrections and additions are always welcome) (subject to change depending on returning traffic):
Air Atlanta Icelandic – The charter and ACMI specialist airline has five passenger 747-400s. Three are currently stored and two are operating on ACMI assignments.
Above Copyright Photo: Air Atlanta Icelandic Boeing 747-412 TF-AMI (msn 27066) LGW (Antony J. Best). Image: 928104.
Air China – Two 747-400s are operational (B-2445 and B-2447) but they stay mostly in China these days. Another aircraft (B-2472) is operated for the government. Air China also continues to operate the newer 747-800.
Above Copyright Photo: Air China Boeing 747-4J6 B-2445 (msn 25882) JFK (Ken Petersen). Image: 902765.
Asiana Airlines – Only one 747-400 passenger aircraft (HL7428) is active these days so the type is probably ready to be retired this year.
Above Copyright Photo: Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-48E HL7428 (msn 28552) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 910887.
Atlas Air – The charter and ACMI specialist airline currently has three active passenger 747-400s (N464MC, N465MC and N480MC). Assuming charter demand continues this airline could be one of the last passenger operators.
Above Copyright Photo: Atlas Air Boeing 747-446 N465MC (msn 24784) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 921869.
British Airways – The former largest 747-400 passenger operator has stored all 28 aircraft pending a return of passenger demand. For now, G-CIVO operated the last revenue flight (BA9116 LOS-LHR) on May 11, 2020.
Above Copyright Photo: British Airways Boeing 747-436 (Tails) LHR (Dave Glendinning). Image: 908409.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – As previously reported, PH-BFT operated the last regular revenue flight (KL686 MEX-AMS) on March 29, 2020. However the Jumbo was brought out of retirement to operate special medical cargo flights (along with PH-BFV and PH-BFW) during the pandemic. All 3 are expected to be re-retired again this year.
Above Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-406 PH-BFT (msn 28459) (100 Years) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 949485.
Lufthansa – The company was originally planning to retire the 747-400 fleet in 2025. That all changed with the pandemic. All 8 that remain operational are now in storage pending a return of passenger demand. D-ABVX operated the last 747-400 passenger revenue flight (LH637 RUH-FRA) on May 8, 2020.
Rossiya Russian Airlines – The Russian carrier parked all nine of its Boeing 747-400s. EI-XLF operated the last revenue flight (FV5876 HKT-SVO) on March 29, 2020.
Above Copyright Photo: Rossiya Airlines Boeing 747-446 EI-XLF (msn 27645) AYT (Ton Jochems). Image: 943781.
Wamos Air – The Spanish carrier has four active Boeing 747-400s. The carrier is planning to operate the type until 2023 but this could change with lower demand.
Above Copyright Photo: Wamos Air Boeing 747-412 EC-KSM (msn 27178) ARN (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 937680.
Air India – Four 747-400s are parked and not likely to return. VT-ESO operated the last revenue flight (AI966 HYD-BOM) on March 15, 2020.
China Airlines – Four passenger 747-400s are in storage and are not likely to return. B-18215 operated the last revenue flight (CI916 HKG-TPE) on March 15, 2020.
Corsair International – The French carrier parked its three passenger Boeing 747-400s in March and they are not likely to return. F-GTUI operated the last revenue flight (S5 927 PTP-ORY) on March 26, 2020,
El Al Israel Airlines – 4X-ELC operated the last passenger 747-400 revenue flight (LY1747 FCO-TLV) on November 3, 2019.
Iraqi Airways – The last passenger Boeing 747-400 (YI-ASA) operated the last revenue flight (IA3114, MED-BGW) on February 2, 2020.
Korean Air – HL7402 operated the last 747-400 passenger revenue flight (KE630 DPS-ICN) on February 29, 2020. Korean Air continues to operate the newer 747-800.
Mahan Air – The Iranian airline was recently again operating EP-MNB (February 2020) but it appears to be no longer flying, probably due to the embargo.
QANTAS Airways – The flag carrier decided to early retire the type due to a much lower demand. VH-OEE operated the last revenue flight (QF28 SCL-SYD) on March 29, 2020.
Thai Airways International – The flag carrier is in reorganization and is cutting costs and reducing aircraft types. HS-TGA operated the last 747-400 revenue flight (TG476 SYD-BKK) on March 26, 2020.
Virgin Atlantic Airways – G-VROS operated the last revenue flight (VS608 LAX-LHR) on March 31, 2020.
Poll. Who do you think will be the last Boeing 747-400 passenger airline operator?
As of today, Monday, May 11, 2020 wearing facial protection during boarding and on board is mandatory for KLM passengers. Passengers must ensure that they carry the required facial protection with them. Cabin crew will of course also wear facial protection.
Facial protection refers to non-medical face masks and to surgical face masks. The mask has to be large enough to cover the wearer’s entire nose and mouth.
For the time being, this measure applies until August 31, 2020. Passengers who do not wear adequate facial protection/mouth masks may be refused boarding at the gate. Children under 10 years of age are excluded from the measure.
For airlines, flying during the coronavirus crisis means operating under exceptional circumstances. The current situation calls for a series of measures KLM is taking in order to safely and healthily carry out its operation for passengers and crew. The obligation to wear facial protection is part of this. Other measures include aircraft being cleaned more frequently and thoroughly and keeping contact moments between crew and passengers during the flight to a minimum. In addition, passengers from high-risk areas will have to fill in a health declaration to assess whether they are fit to fly.
The risk of contamination on board aircraft is low. Modern aircraft are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which provide clean, high-quality cabin air with a high degree of air circulation. The air is replaced every three minutes by the aircraft’s built-in air supply system. The air flow in the aircraft goes from top to bottom, which further reduces the chance of ‘horizontal’ transmission in the cabin. Moreover, the air flows quickly, which is not conducive to the dispersion of droplets. Furthermore, the passengers all sit with their faces in the same direction, so there is little face-to-face interaction, and the seats form a barrier to the transmission forward or backward in the cabin.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has made this announcement:
From May 4, 2020, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will gradually begin restoring its European network. The airline will resume daily service to seven extra destinations, which were suspended in compliance with COVID-19-related travel restrictions. The wearing of face masks will be compulsory on all flights across the whole KLM network from May 11, 2020.
The strongly reduced European network is configured to connect with as many flights as possible in the intercontinental network. Routes will gradually be reopened, but may change weekly, depending on measures being taken by the authorities at the destinations.
KLM’s target for May is the resumption of 15% of its flights, compared to the period before the COVID-19 outbreak. A considerable number of the intercontinental flights are currently being operated on a cargo-only basis
Effective May 4, 2020, KLM will resume service โ one daily flight, seven days a week โ to the following destinations:
Barcelona
Madrid
Rome
Milan
Budapest
Prague
Warsaw
Helsinki
The flights will be operated with Embraer aircraft.
Compulsory face masks on board
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, KLM has introduced many measuresย around screening and hygiene to protect customers and KLM staff, on board and at airports. KLM’s policy is based on national (RIVM) and international (WHO, IATA) guidelines, and complies with international law and regulations. In situations where social distancing cannot be guaranteed, the wearing of face masks will be recommended or made compulsory. Some destinations already require face masks to be worn on board flights.
Starting May 11, 2020, and simultaneous with the restoration of the KLM network, masks will be compulsory on board and during boarding. Passengers are responsible for providing their own face masks.
In view of the changing nature of regulations and legislation, until further notice, face masks will remain compulsory until August 31, 2020.
Today (April 30), KLMโs first passenger carrier departed, carrying cargo not only in its belly, but on the passenger seats and in the baggage bins of the aircraft cabin. KLM operated a B777-300 flight from Shanghai to Amsterdam, for the first time introducing the new cargo carrying concept. The load consisted mainly of urgent medical supplies, including hundreds of thousands of face masks and protective gowns to be used in combatting coronavirus. The new cargo carrying concept makes additional space available to ship personal protective equipment (PPE) such as this.
Around 500 packages of equipment can be carried in the cabin on each flight. If the trial proves successful, Beijing and Hong Kong will join Shanghai on the list of destinations for this new service. KLM will be deploying three Boeing 777s to operate Cargo-in-Cabin flights. The B747-400 combi flights currently re-entering service on these routes will soon be reconfigured to be similarly deployed. The packages will be bound to the passenger seats and stowed in the baggage bins.
Cargo-in-Cabin in practice
KLMโs new, albeit temporary cargo carrying concept was developed by a multidisciplinary team within a three-week timeframe. Executive Vice President Air France-KLM Cargo Adriaan den Heijer: โDeveloping and implementing this concept is a particularly complex necessity. Safety plays a pivotal role. Each and every package must be bound securely to the seat to ensure it remains in place throughout the flight. But practical matters have to be taken into account too, such as swiftly and safely loading the cabin cargo without damaging the interior. This process is especially labour intensive; current expectations are that this will take at least four hours.โ To ensure that everything goes off smoothly, all such flights will be accompanied by a Cargo-in-Cabin Coordinator from KLM Cargo to maintain onsite loading supervision and monitor compliance with the new procedures.
Added space
โCargo-in-Cabin significantly increases capacity. What we can now accommodate in the cabin equates to around six large pallets in the belly or 40% of the total cargo capacity,โ explains Den Heijer, adding: โWe can use the added space to our advantage, carrying more urgent medical supplies. Cargo-in-Cabin caters perfectly to the growing demand for such equipment.โ
In its communication of April 9, 2020, the Air France-KLM Group stated that, given the major impact of the COVID-19 crisis, which will weigh heavily on its EBITDA, and despite the significant measures taken to preserve its liquidity, it predicted that in the absence of additional funding, a liquidity injection would be necessary in the third quarter of 2020.
The Air France-KLM Group, Air France and KLM therefore engaged in talks with the French and Dutch governments regarding the implementation of specific aid measures that would enable them to maintain their solvency.
Following several weeks of discussions with the French state and banking institutions, the Air France-KLM Group and Air France were able to finalize the various components of a support mechanism dedicated to Air France on which principle agreements are being finalised:
This support mechanism is comprised of:
A French state-backed loan of โฌ4 billion granted by a syndicate of six banks to Air France-KLM and Air France. ย The French state is guaranteeing this loan up to 90%, and it has a maturity of 12 months, with two consecutive one-year extension options exercisable by Air France-KLM;
A direct shareholderโs loan of โฌ3 billion from the French state to Air France-KLM with a maturity of four years, with two consecutive one-year extension options exercisable by Air France-KLM.
This aid mechanism, which remains subject to approval by the European Commission, will enable the Air France-KLM Group to provide Air France with the means necessary to meet its obligations by continuing its transformation in order to adapt in a sector that the global crisis will severely disrupt.
The Dutch state has also stated its intention to support the KLM Group. Discussions to finalize the aspects and conditions of an additional aid are ongoing.
The transformation plan, which will be finalized in the coming months, will include economic, financial and environmental commitments. It will notably involve a review of Air France’s activities looking to adapt them to the new market reality brought about by the crisis, and will have to strengthen its financial situation. This transformation will also contain an ambitious environmental roadmap to accelerate the Group’s sustainable transition.
Once this plan has been finalized and when better visibility on post-crisis air traffic levels becomes available, the Air France-KLM Board of Directors will consider increasing its equity capital subject to market conditions.ย At the latest, this could occur at the latest following the Board meeting scheduled to approve the financial statements for 2020.
In this context, the French state has indicated its intention to examine the conditions under which it might participate in such an operation to increase its capital.
โOn behalf of the Air France-KLM Board of Directors, I would like to thank the French state and our banking partners for this aid, which will enable the Air France-KLM Group to overcome this unprecedented crisis,” said Anne-Marie Couderc, Chair of the Air France-KLM Board of Directors. “It is also the recognition of the strategic role our Group plays in the service of France, the Netherlands and our fellow citizens. The management and all employees of the Air France-KLM Group will undertake every effort to prove ourselves worthy of the trust placed in us.โ
“On behalf of our Group and its employees, I would like to thank the French state and our banking partners for their support in ensuring the future of the Air France-KLM Group,” said Benjamin Smith, CEO of the Air France-KLM Group. “This aid, along with the Group’s action plan, will enable us to withstand this crisis and foresee the future of Air France-KLM with ambition and determination. We are a strong Group and we are united in face of this crisis. I would like to once again salute the exceptional commitment of our employees for their dedication to the repatriation of our fellow citizens, the transport of medical equipment, and maintaining the essential links with territories.โ
Above Photo: Minister Martin van Rijn (VWS) and President-CEO of KLM Elbers welcome the first Boeing 747 from Shanghai full of medical supplies at Schiphol Airport. It is the expansion of the air bridge between China and the Netherlands that should guarantee a continuous flow of relief supplies.
This morning (April 20), the first KLM Boeing 747 with medical supplies from Shanghai landed at Schiphol Airport. By expanding the air bridge between the Netherlands and China, the Netherlands is assured of a continuous flow of relief supplies.
In the presence of Minister Martin van Rijn (Public Health, Welfare and Sport) and President & CEO Pieter Elbers of KLM, the supplies were unloaded and prepared for further distribution to Dutch healthcare institutions in the fight against corona.
KLM has especially brought the Boeing 747 combi back into operation for this important cargo airlift for the next 6 to 8 weeks. The almost daily flights ensure a continuous flow of medical supplies from China to the Netherlands.
So far, KLM and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport have already brought 12 million mouth masks, hundreds of thousands of gloves, safety goggles, insulation jackets and hundreds of infusion pumps to the Netherlands.
This morning, the cargo hold of the Boeing 747 with flight number KL894 from Shanghai, was filled to capacity with, among other things, hundreds of thousands of mouth masks, 30,000 insulation jackets and 30,000 safety goggles. Tomorrow and Wednesday, two more KLM-Boeings will land with medical goods from China, as part of the air bridge. Over the next 5 days, millions of mouth masks are expected.
From the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the Group has implemented adequate measures to protect its passengers and staff, as well as to preserve its financial sustainability.
In view of increasingly strict measures taken by many countries, including restrictions on travel opportunities or border closures, the Air France-KLM Group has drastically reduced its flight activity, which over the next few months should be less than 10% of last yearโs level.
The Group has implemented strong measures since the beginning of the crisis which include, amongst others:
– ย Negotiation with governments of payment deferral for taxes (civil aviation, solidarity…), social contribution and various charges;
– ย Negotiation with lessors and airports of payment deferral;
– ย Cost reduction measures, estimated at this stage at โฌ500 million in 2020, an increase
of โฌ300 million compared to previous announcements ;
– ย The possibility of early retirement of certain sub-fleets of aircraft;
– ย Implementation by Air France of partial activity measures and application by KLM for
the โTemporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employmentโ (NOW), with
an impact estimated at this stage at around โฌ1.1 billion for 2020;
– ย Review of the investment plan to reduce the capital expenditure plan by โฌ700 million in 2020, an increase of โฌ350 million compared to previous announcements, to which will be added the impact of the decline in own and third-party activity on the amount
of maintenance investments.
In solidarity with the all employee groups, the Air France-KLM Board members, Chair and CEO will also participate in the effort in line with the measures applicable to the employees of the Group, with a similar reduction of their remuneration.
As the crisis continues, the conditions for a recovery remain uncertain, both in terms of our air operations, but more generally in terms of the timetable for economic and demand recovery.
Our current best estimates, incorporating the above-mentioned measures, show that in the absence of additional financing, a liquidity requirement is expected in the third quarter of 2020.
As a result, the Air France-KLM Group, Air France and KLM, have entered into in-depth discussions with their respective governments and financial institutions in order to grant the resources that will enable them to secure and sustain adequate levels of liquidity by all means, notably within the framework of the European Commission’s Temporary Framework on State Aid in force published on March 19, 2020.
At this stage, given the various options currently being considered and the quality of the discussions with the two States and financial institutions, the Air France-KLM Group is confident that it will be able to obtain additional financing to meet all its future financial obligations and enable it to ensure the recovery of its activity beyond the current crisis.
“We are facing an unprecedented crisis affecting without exception the airline industry, which is causing a great deal of uncertainty about the outlook for air transport,” said Benjamin Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM. “Since the beginning of this crisis, the Air France-KLM Group has done everything possible to ensure the health safety of its employees and customers and, on the financial side, to preserve its short-term liquidity and prepare for the future. Emergency measures have been rapidly implemented to reduce our costs and investments. I salute the exceptional commitment of our employees, who are giving their best in these difficult times, particularly the operational teams who are enabling the repatriation flights of our fellow citizens, as well as the transport of medical equipment to France and the Netherlands. It is now clearer than ever that support from our both Dutch and French governments is needed to meet our cash requirements and enable us to continue our operations once the crisis is over. Discussions with them and financial partners are ongoing,ย and I am confident in their willingness to support us and the future of the Air France-KLM Group, a key player for employment and the greater economies of our two nations, whose flags our airlines fly around the world. “
In other news, Air France has been flying medical supplies in France:
Our Air France Cargo teams are involved in the delivery of 100 tons of medical equipment in France, including several million masks. Thank you to all those who remain mobilized since the beginning of this health crisis.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is turning to its retired Boeing 747-400 Combi aircraft again to fly again. This time, without passengers.
KLM will reactivate two Boeing 747-400 Combi aircraft (plus a spare) (PH-BFT, PH-BFV and PH-BFW) due to high cargo demand. The aircraft will operate starting on April 13 to China (PEK and PVG). The China cargo airbridge is in cooperation with Philips Medical Systems for a 6-8 week period.
KLM Jumbos will be flying again!
Top Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-406 PH-BFT (msn 28459) (100 Years) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 949485.
You must be logged in to post a comment.