Wednesday, March 27

KLM is Working on A Logistics Puzzle, Long Flights are Still Leaving

KLM’s first long-haul flights departed according to schedule on Friday morning, despite an earlier warning that flying was not possible.

 

Short flights will also continue in a usual manner for the time being.

In the meantime, KLM says it is working behind the scenes on the “immense logistical puzzle” when a mandatory corona rapid test also applies to crew members from Saturday, before heading back to Amsterdam.

The airline previously warned that virtually no flights could proceed from Friday by introducing a mandatory corona test for travellers and crew. If flight personnel are also required to undergo a rapid test, the airline runs the risk that employees will have to be left behind.

KLM has already indicated that it will not leave crews abroad for reasons of good employment practices. The airline expects to be able to provide more clarity about logistics later on Friday.

Meanwhile, KLM’s lobby in The Hague is also continuing. The airline hopes to arrive at a workable situation for crew members to continue to be operated. KLM boss Pieter Elbers saw an opening in remarks by Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure), who said in the debate in the Lower House that he wanted to stick to the measure and the precautionary principle.

But at the same time, she also indicated that she was open to an alternative. The OMT and RIVM must support this.

Leave a Reply