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KLM Ground-Crew Strike Cancels 100 Flights What You Need to Know About Refunds & Flight Updates copy

Amsterdam – KLM, the Dutch arm of airline Air France KLM, will cancel 100 flights on Wednesday after ground crew announced a two-hour KLM Ground-Crew Strike, a spokesperson for KLM said on Tuesday. It is confirmed by the Dutch News Agency ANP. So, the canceled flights will disrupt the journey of up to 27,000 passengers, the spokesperson added.

European Airlines have also struggled this summer due to the fallout of strikes which cause flight delays across the continent. The budget airline Ryanair announced that it was forced to cancel various flights in July tied to French air traffic control strikes.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has cancelled over 100 flights due to a ground staff strike which is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10. The two-hour walkout will be led by the unions CNV and FNV and is expected to cause widespread disruptions at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

Dutch Unions Announce Strike For KLM Ground Workers

The first KLM worker stoppage, on Wednesday 10, will take place from 8 am until 10 am. The airline has cancelled over 100 flights that were scheduled for Wednesday due to this and affecting more than 27,000 passengers. If your flight is cancelled or you have missed your connecting flight due to the KLM Ground-Crew Strike, it will automatically rebook you on the first available alternative flight. Rebooking may take longer than usual as this action may affect a few passengers.

KLM Airlines suggests passengers check the KLM app and website for KLM airline updates on their flight status. KLM ground staff are set to strike on Wednesday, September 17 from 8 am to 12 pm. The work stoppage might have a significant impact because KLM operations will come to a standstill. It will send a clear message from employees to KLM management and the protesters will collect at the Schiphol Plaza when they got KLM strike news.

KLM Airlines’ Ground Workers Attempt Another Strike

The airline has canceled over 100 flights which affects about 27,000 travelers. Schiphol urged travelers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. Earlier this year, Dutch unions warned they might go on strike for KLM ground staff but a court stopped them because of the NATO summit happening at that time. The strikes are now planned for September after KLM made a secret deal for a new labor agreement with three other unions: NVLT/ VKP/ and De Unie.

However, two main unions: FNV and CNV are unhappy with this deal and have decided to move forward with their strikes. They are asking for better working conditions with more permanent jobs and higher wage increases to keep up with living costs for more workers to qualify for extra support in demanding jobs.

Impact on Cargo Operations

KLM’s cargo division which is important for trade between Europe and Asia as well as across the Atlantic, has been significantly impacted. KLM will cancel 100 flights on Wednesday, impacting 27,000 passengers, following an announcement of a two-hour strike by ground crew. The airline decided to stop selling tickets for the cancelled flights and started to redirect shipments that were already booked onto different planes and routes. As a result, the cargo companies and shippers are facing delays because the changes are causing backlogs in the system.

KLM Ground-Crew Strike comes at a tough time for the air freight industry which is already dealing with changes in shipping rates and new trade routes due to tariffs and political situations. Any disruptions at a major airport like Schiphol can cause problems across many global supply chains which affect the movement of important items such as medicines/ perishable goods/ and valuable industrial products. KLM has terminated over 100 flights due to the strike by KLM ground staff which is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am CET.

Affecting Labour Dispute

The Union representatives have raised their concern about the workload, staff levels, and the compensation which point to the inflationary pressure and increased cargo demand since the pandemic. The breakdown with these groups makes a gap in the KLM’s effort to maintain labor relations while the airline has already signed an agreement with other unions. KLM who is the Dutch arm of airline group Air France KLM, will cancel its 100 flights on Wednesday after ground crew announced a two-hour strike.

Industry observers note that the walkout is a part of a broader trend in the European aviation industry where labor costs and workers’ expectations are increasing with the airline’s effort to be able to compete in the Volatile market. The higher operation cost is coupled with the tariff-related uncertainties in global trade which creates the additional strain for the airlines who are trying to manage tight margins. It turns out that the strike lasts for two hours between 8 am and 10 am and most KLM flights during these hours have already been cancelled.

What to do If your KLM Flight is Canceled due to the ongoing labour strike?

If your KLM airlines flight has been affected due to the ongoing flight attendant strike, you can use KLM Airlines flight cancellation policy to get a refund or rebooking options. You can reach its customer support number to get available options. KLM airlines has assured the distraught travelers to get full assistance during the continuing labor strike.

The Bottom Line!

As we discussed earlier, Dutch airline KLM has today cancelled more than 100 flights as a result of KLM Ground-Crew Strike action carried out by ground workers at two unions. It signed an agreement with some labour unions last week and the current labour dispute on a collective agreement continues as the two unions that were not included in this deal. If your flight is cancelled or missed a connection flight due to this strike, KLM will automatically re-book you on the first available alternative flight.

They would move forward with the strike action. A two-hour strike by ground staff is planned on Wednesday morning which is followed by a four-hour strike on coming Wednesday, September 17 in the morning. The flight cancellations can have knock-on effects on the flight schedule, which may cause delays and create challenges for the aviation system.

If you are the one whose flight is also disrupted by the ground-crew strike issue, then contact Toursntravelpro at +1-866-679-5070 and our travel professionals will guide you to come out of this situation while helping you to continue to your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my KLM flight is cancelled due to an airport strike?

KLM will try to get you on the next available flight when your KLM flight gets cancelled due to the strike at the airport. However, you might not receive any compensation for the cancellation if the strike involves workers not employed by KLM like security or baggage handlers. If the strike is by KLM staff, like the ground crew, it is seen as something the airline can control. You will get compensation when your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before you were supposed to leave.

What happens if KLM cancels your flight?

f KLM Airlines cancels your flight, you will get two options from the airline: a full KLM flight refund or rebooking onto a comparable alternative flight to your destination. You may get compensation if the flight cancellation occurs with less than 14 days of notice and it is due to the extraordinary circumstances like weather. Moreover, the airline provides important details like refreshment and meals if a significant wait or overnight stay is needed.

Will KLM flights be cancelled on strike days?

Yes! Flights can be cancelled on KLM on the strike days due to the unavailability of staff or the technical issue caused by the industrial action. It can range from flight delays to widespread cancellations which also affects the potential passengers as seen with the recent airline strikes. KLM Airlines provides options like a KLM flight refund for the affected passengers. It is advisable to check the official website of the airline and avoid heading to the airport without a confirmed flight.

Is KLM Airlines on strike?

Yes! There was a KLM ground-crew strike at the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 08:00 to 10:00. It led to more than 100 cancellations and significant disruptions for up to 27,000 passengers. The airline is rebooking affected passengers and warned that the flight disruption might continue for various days.

Do you get a refund if KLM Airlines goes on strike?

If KLM cancels your flight because of a strike and does not offer you a similar flight, you have the right to get a full refund or a different flight. You will be entitled to some extra money as compensation if they inform you about the cancellation less than two weeks before your departure. This is because strikes by airline staff are generally seen as something the airline can manage.

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