KLM Could Ground Aircraft In 2027

Like a significant portion of the industry, KLM is currently at risk of a pilot shortage impacting its schedule moving into the future.

Current risks include forcing the airline to ground part of its fleet from 2027 onwards because it lacks qualified pilots to operate its aircraft across the network.

As a means to try and mitigate this risk, KLM hopes that more of its part-time pilots will move towards full-time positions to stop the risk of groundings occurring.

The Telegraaf reports this following comments from the head of KLM’s flight service division. While the company technically employs more pilots, significant risks are still associated.

The risks stem from sick leave and part-time work that have only increased in recent years and certainly following the global pandemic as work arrangements have become more flexible and not as locked on.

KLM says that they, on average, lose some 50 full-time jobs a year, not necessarily seeing the employees in question leaving their full-time roles and departing the company but rather transitioning towards more part-time positions within the airline business instead.

While these moves benefit the employees making the switch, they have the opposite effect on KLM, especially for those staff roles positioned at the front of the aircraft in a cockpit role. The knock-on effect is enormous.

KLM is also not necessarily able to push back on those making the switch in their frequency of work. Reports and industry insiders state that based on employees’ legal rights, this is something they’re allowed to do, but it complicates matters for the company.

A Global Pilot Shortage

Arguably, one of the biggest focuses across the industry in the last decade has been the knowledge of prospective pilot shortages driven for many reasons; however, cost certainly plays a role in this.

To train and become a pilot, significant funds are required, and time is not available for the vast majority, even if young people have such a dream.

It, therefore, becomes out of reach for many and only available to a select few who, while making substantial sacrifices, are either plunged into debt or in a fortunate enough position to afford the required training.

As a result, airlines have begun trying to find initiatives to keep the training process the same, and the ability to get the training required is more effortless through various academies and programs encouraging people to take the leap and follow their ambitions.

Other Concerns For KLM

The pilots moving to part-time are mainly affecting the airline’s operations; KLM says that specifically, their long-haul flights are being affected, and given the importance here, the reduction of staff does have an effect.

Unfortunately, KLM falls under a geographical position that has seen Russian airspace closures affect its ability to serve specific markets in the most optimal and typical manner.

These airspace closures have resulted in detours, additional hours, and complexities to the operations, thus requiring pilots to work more hours, which is a problem. While new agreements have been reached, this isn’t a solution, and problems persist.

If nothing can be achieved, the airline confirmed that groundings will have to occur from 2027, and while this would be a last resort, it will fundamentally be required if nothing can be sorted in the next two years.