KLM to cut flights as more aircraft are sidelined

KLM is taking flights out of its schedule in the coming period because more aircraft than planned are unavailable for maintenance or damage repairs, a spokesperson confirmed to Dutch news agency ANP. The airline has not said how many flights will be cancelled, which routes are affected or when the disruption will end. [1]

The carrier described the cuts as proactive. It is also using different aircraft from those normally assigned to some flights. KLM keeps reserve planes to replace aircraft undergoing maintenance, but the spokesperson described the cancellations as the result of a combination of circumstances. ANP reported that strikes and severe weather can disrupt schedules; it did not identify either as a cause of these cancellations. [1]

The spokesperson said the cuts were financially unwelcome: an aircraft in the air earns money, while one on the ground costs the airline money. KLM gave no estimate of the financial impact. [1]