KLM Urges Part-Time Pilots to Increase Hours Amid Pilot Shortage Crisis

KLM is urging its part-time pilots to fly full-time as a growing pilot shortage threatens to ground part of its fleet by 2027. Eimerd Bult, head of KLM’s flight service, outlined the situation in a letter, stating that sick leave and part-time work are causing a critical shortage of pilots, according to the Telegraaf.

Despite having more pilots than ever, KLM faces staffing challenges, particularly on long-distance flights, which are the airline’s most profitable routes. Bult highlighted that the increase in part-time work leads to the loss of around 50 full-time positions annually, reducing the airline’s ability to fully operate its long-haul flights.

KLM is also impacted by longer flight routes due to detours around Russia, which require more pilots per flight. “The problem is huge, and if left unaddressed, we risk grounding aircraft by 2027,” Bult warned.

While part-time work is a legal right in the Netherlands, KLM can only request that pilots increase their hours. The airline is seeking new agreements with the pilots’ union, VNV, to address the shortage. However, VNV chairman Camiel Verhagen emphasized that pilots are already working more under recent agreements and that finding and training new pilots takes time.

KLM’s ability to operate its new Airbus fleet, valued at €10 billion, could be at risk if the pilot shortage persists.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, nltimes.nl