KLM, the Dutch arm of Air France-KLM has announced that it would be cutting around 5,000 full-time positions through the end 2021 due to coronavirus-led crisis of unprecedented magnitude.

According to reports, some 1,500 temporary contracts will not be renewed. In addition, other 2,000 jobs will go through a voluntary redundancy scheme. However, around 1,500 employees, including ground force, cabin and cockpit crew, and administrative workers will lose their jobs.

As part of the measures, a total of 4,500 to 5,000 positions in the entire KLM Group, part of Franco-Dutch airline Air France-KLM, will cease to exist.

This means that the workforce will be reduced to around 28,000 full-time equivalents (FTEs) in the course of 2021 from the current 33,000 FTEs.

At the end of June, the Dutch government presented an aid package of 3.4 billion euros ($3.8 billion) for KLM to overcome the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis.

One of the conditions for the financial support was that KLM would take measures for a cost reduction.

“A great deal has already been done in recent months with respect to adjusting the size of our company in the face of a new reality,” KLM CEO Pieter Elbers stated.

“Unfortunately, more measures are needed in the short term to guarantee KLM’s continued existence in the future.”

When do you think the aviation industry will regain its previous status? Feel free to share with us in the comments below!

Source: https://www.amevoice.com/Aviation-News/klm-airlines-announces-massive-layoffs-set-to-cut-nearly-5000-positions/