KLM strike disrupts flights at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

On Wednesday, ground staff of KLM, the Dutch national airline, stopped working at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for two hours. Between 08:00 and 10:00, 71 departing flights and 34 arriving flights were cancelled. KLM reported that around 27,000 passengers were directly affected.

The disruption may not be over. Dutch unions FNV and CNV have already threatened another strike on Wednesday 17 September, this time lasting four hours. If it goes ahead, the impact could be even greater.

Wider impact than KLM reported

According to EUclaim’s own flight data, the disruption was far greater than the two-hour stoppage suggested. In total, we registered 202 KLM flights cancelled as a result of the strike. The effects of such an action do not stop when staff return to work, but ripple through the entire day.

Interestingly, KLM decided to delay rather than cancel several long-haul flights, including services to Sint Maarten, Lima, Paramaribo and Toronto. These flights departed more than two hours late.

For passengers this was still unpleasant, but less severe than a full cancellation. On routes such as Sint Maarten and Paramaribo, rebooking options are very limited, which makes delaying a more practical choice for the airline.

Partner airlines also hit

The disruption did not only affect KLM. Partner airlines that outsource their ground handling to KLM also faced cancellations and delays.

For these carriers, which play no part in KLM’s labour dispute, the impact is especially frustrating: they bear the consequences without having any influence over the negotiations.

Passenger rights

If your flight was cancelled or delayed due to the strike, you may be entitled to compensation under European Regulation 261/2004. This entitles passengers to up to €600 per person, in addition to rebooking or ticket refunds, depending on the length of the delay and the flight distance.

Are you unsure if your disrupted flight qualifies? Check your flight with EUclaim and find out immediately if you are entitled to compensation.