KLM can still receive 3.4 billion euros in state aid in the next five years, but then the company will have to make substantial cutbacks during that period. The cabinet considers this a reasonable requirement. KLM has already received a lot of support compared to other Dutch companies. “What we do is in the interest of the Netherlands, but it must be in balance. It is about taxpayers’ money.”
The VNV does not want to commit to cutbacks until 2025. “This specific adjustment to our agreement cannot be realized at this time,” the pilot’s union wrote in a statement. The cabin crew and the aviation technicians are willing to forego five years of wages.
Future
The KLM management made a further appeal this afternoon to agree to the cabinet’s request. “In the interest of its members, all KLM employees and the future of the company,” said the KLM top. If there is no state aid, the company with 30,000 employees will almost certainly go bankrupt.
Hoekstra does not want to speak of bankruptcy yet. KLM still has some money. “But they can’t stand it for more months,” Hoekstra said.
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