KLM plans to cut nearly 15% of staff to advance €1 billion cost reduction

On November 5, 2026, Air France-KLM published its third-quarter results, with adjusted operating profit of €1.35 billion, up €126 million year on year, and revenue up 7.6% to €9.9 billion. On the same day, KLM announced it would reduce its workforce by nearly 15% as a restructuring measure to cut costs and improve long-term competitiveness; about 5,000 positions have been or will be cut, outsourced and transferred within the group. The plan targets an additional €1 billion improvement in annual results, raising the total target to €1.4 billion. KLM CEO Marjan Rintel said KLM's future is not guaranteed and every department must contribute. Other reports said KLM plans to cut a further 1,000 ground services positions, replace the previously planned additional A320neo purchases with the E195-E2 in its fleet, and phase out the 737 and E190; the group lowered its full-year capacity growth forecast from a maximum of 3% to 2%, and raised its 2026 fuel cost forecast to $9.2 billion. The plan is currently at the announcement stage, with no reports of further implementation progress.