Air France and Delta Air Lines will appoint a new ground handling partner at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) after deciding to sever ties with KLM.
On September 29, 2025, KLM said that it was assessing the “financial and employment-related consequences of this decision”.
“Air France and Delta have informed KLM of their decision to seek an alternative ground handling partner at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for their below-the-wing operations, including baggage loading and unloading,” said a spokesperson for KLM.
KLM ground handling staff have recently staged strikes, primarily focused on Amsterdam Schiphol, causing hundreds of flight cancellations.
KLM also confirmed today that a further strike planned for October 1, 2025, had been put on hold in an “effort to break the current deadlock” between the airline and the unions FNV and CNV.
In a statement passed to Reuters, a KLM spokesperson said the disruptions had “played a large role in the decision” by Delta and Air France.
“They have incurred millions of euros in damages and had to let down many of their customers,” added the spokesperson.
However, the CNV union disputed this and said the two issues were unrelated.
Air France, which is part Air France-KLM Group with KLM, and Delta will invite proposals from other providers to fulfil its ground handling commitments at AMS.
“This decision has immediate operational implications for KLM, particularly for the Ground Services department,” said KLM.
6 comments
KLM have not been very good in addressing the strikes that have occurred. I had 4 flights affected and so the holiday of a lifetime was seriously impacted with absolutely no help from KLM to try and sort out alternative flights etc. Instead I got offered a 15 Euro token to get a coffee. I will be seeking compensation as will the tens of thousands of other people impacted. A strike at a major airport on this level should have been avoided at all costs.
Their salaries range from é36 – 48k a year! I reckon that’s pretty good for unskilled labour!
There’s no handler at Schiphol able to absorb DL.
It’s about time!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
If only the AF and DL jetliner tails could be used as the subject photo for this important news…
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Of the large US airlines, Delta has historically been the LEAST unionised. The company was thus able to operate practically without any organised labour representation. Regarding AirFrance, KLM has had the least labour disputes leading to strikes or disruptions.
If the labour dispute at KLM is the reason for these companies to step away from KLM ground handling then it is a demonstration of their loyalty – especially AF.