These are difficult times for airline KLM, and the corona crisis has also brought them into serious financial difficulties. During the low point of the corona crisis due to travel restrictions worldwide, ninety percent of KLM aircraft were grounded. KLM has to put things in order financially and receives financial support from the government to keep its head above water. The government has attached a condition to state aid. KLM is forced to cut costs by as much as 15 percent, there must be a restructuring plan.

Temporary employee contracts were no longer renewed, this was decided earlier in March. 1500 to 2000 temporary contracts were not renewed. May 19, KLM came up with a voluntary departure scheme (VVR) for permanent employees. This is to prevent forced dismissal of personnel. This arrangement means that staff members can register for a voluntary departure from KLM for a financial compensation. The permanent staff who are employed by KLM and who want to make use of the voluntary departure scheme can receive a maximum of eighteen gross monthly salaries, or one and a half year salary. This is said by a KLM spokesperson in various news reports.

Registration for this voluntary departure scheme expired last Sunday. According to various media, approximately 2400 KLM employees have registered for this voluntary departure scheme. This is approximately 1378 ground crew and 981 cabin crew and 77 pilots. That is therefore a considerable severance payment. About thirty-six thousand employees work at KLM, so this is a drop on a glowing plate. The question is whether this number is enough to prevent another round of dismissal. This week was announced by the Europese Commissie on their website that they have given the green light, under the EU state aid rules for € 3,4 billion in aid to KLM airline. This should help the airline from ruin.

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