KLM will cancel 7,000 seats a day in July, more than half of all airlines

In July, KLM will allow 7,000 fewer passengers to depart from Schiphol every day. The so-called slot coordinator did this calculation. In total, 13,500 fewer passengers can be handled per day.

More than half of the canceled passenger seats are therefore at the expense of KLM, the main user of the airport. In addition, half of the slots are normally allocated to KLM.

The so-called slots are distributed by the Dutch Airport Coordination (ACNL). Manager Hugo Thomassen told the NOS that all airlines have been informed of the number of seats that will be cancelled. Thomassen did not say how many seats other airlines would have to give up.

Airlines are free to decide for themselves how their seat restrictions are applied. This can be done by stopping or limiting ticket sales or canceling flights.

Flights already moved

Airlines and travel agencies hope to be able to inform passengers individually about their flights this week and next week. “We will receive a response within this week on which flights will be canceled,” said a Transavia spokesperson. We will then consider continuing as many trips as possible. Only then can Transavia inform customers, he says. The same message can be heard at TUI Airlines.

Corendon Dutch Airlines operated 150 flights from Schiphol to Rotterdam The Hague Airport. A spokesman said: “This is about 25% of our flight. We did this before the cuts became apparent. “We’ll see if that’s enough,” he said.

Sunweb and D-reizen/PrijsVrij travel organizations have not yet been clarified. They hope to get clarity this week. If so, Sunweb hopes to be able to advise customers who have already booked their trip next week about possible alternatives. The travel provider will therefore adapt the offer on the website to the restrictions.

Amateurism

The Consumers’ Association is closely monitoring the situation at Schiphol. “We believe that there should be clarity for consumers at an early stage, so that they know where they stand,” said a spokesperson. “Flights are planned months in advance. It is amateurish at best that there is so much uncertainty from takeoff to the last minute.”

The Consumers’ Association expects that many passengers will be the victims. That is why the association announced last week that it will explore the possibilities of holding Schiphol liable for the costs incurred by consumers. “We do not believe that passengers should be victims of poor airport policy.”

The travel industry is also preparing to take legal action. The ANVR industry association is asking Schiphol for compensation for the damage caused by the chaos at the airport this summer.

Source: NOS

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