KLM has appointed a new chief operations officer, whose role will be to restore calm and stability after a summer of disruption at the Dutch flag carrier.
It has been a turbulent few months for passengers traveling with KLM, especially from Amsterdam, the airline’s home base. A lack of security staff has led to long lines and KLM has had to restrict ticket sales and cancel flights.
“Maarten Stienen has extensive experience in operations as well as other sectors,” commented Marjan Rintel, the chief executive of KLM in a statement on August 23, 2022. “I am very much looking forward to working with Maarten to bring calm and stability to the organisation together.”
Maarten Stienen has been at KLM since 1998, having started as a management trainee.
Maarten Stienen. Credit: KLM
During his time at the carrier, he held posts in baggage and turnaround services, industrial relations and HR and catering services. Most recently, he spent two years as senior vice president of hub operations.
“It is an incredible honour to be appointed COO and I am proud to take on this post, which really is a challenge, considering the major operational issues we currently face,” Steinen said.
Stienen succeeds René de Groot, who announced on July 6, 2022 that he was leaving KLM for a role at British Airways.
