KLM Strike Disrupts Travel at Schiphol Airport

On September 17, 2025, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines canceled approximately 100 flights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport due to a four-hour strike by ground staff from 8:00 AM to noon. 

The industrial action, organized by unions FNV and CNV, affected around 27,000 passengers, primarily on short-haul European routes, including London, Hamburg, and Madrid. 

The strike stems from ongoing disputes over a collective bargaining agreement, with unions demanding better wages and working conditions, accusing KLM of favoring pilots and management over ground crew.

A similar two-hour strike the previous week also led to over 100 cancellations, highlighting escalating tensions after KLM reached an agreement with three smaller unions, which FNV and CNV rejected for failing to address purchasing power for 14,000 ground staff. 

Passengers faced delays, rebookings, and, in some cases, missing luggage, as reported by travelers on the Accra route.

 KLM has pledged to rebook affected passengers on the next available flights, but warned that disruptions could linger for days due to the logistical challenges of rescheduling.

Schiphol Airport advised travelers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport, as delays and cancellations were expected to ripple through KLM’s network. 

The airline called the strike “irresponsible,” estimating a €10 million loss from the previous action. 

Further strikes are planned for September 24 (six hours) and October 1 (eight hours), raising concerns about ongoing travel disruptions at one of Europe’s busiest hubs.

 Passengers are urged to stay updated and plan for potential delays as KLM navigates these labor disputes.