KLM Cancels Dozens of Flights at Schiphol as Ground Staff Strike

(AMSTERDAM) KLM has cancelled dozens of flights at Schiphol as ground staff prepare a four-hour strike on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 08:00 to 12:00 local time. The airline warned of broader disruption before and after the stoppage, with delays and additional cancellations likely to ripple across the day.

The action follows a two-hour walkout on September 10 that led to 202 cancellations and affected about 27,000 passengers, according to union and airline updates.

Why the strike is happening

Unions FNV and CNV, which represent KLM ground staff, called the action after talks over pay, workload, and job security stalled. As of September 15, no agreement had been reached, making Wednesday’s walkout highly likely to proceed.

The strike will hit not only KLM but also partner airlines that rely on KLM ground handling, extending the impact across terminals and timetables at Schiphol.

Airline and airport responses

KLM said it is proactively emailing and texting customers on affected itineraries and is offering automatic rebooking where seats are available. The carrier urged travelers to keep checking their status and self-service options via the KLM travel alerts page: https://www.klm.us/information/travel-alerts.

Schiphol has also issued warnings of cancellations and queues, advising passengers to arrive earlier than usual and confirm flight details before heading to the airport. Official updates are posted on Schiphol’s website: https://www.schiphol.nl/en/updates/.

Operational ripple effects

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the four-hour action is poised to disrupt far more than a morning departure wave. Aircraft and crew rotations will be out of place for the remainder of the day, which can push delays into the evening and onto next-day schedules.

KLM has trimmed flights in advance to reduce the operational shock and to create room for rebooking.

The airline also confirmed ongoing IT issues affecting some seat assignments. While separate from the strike, those problems may make rebooking slower for certain customers—especially on long-haul routes where capacity is tight. KLM said customers can seek changes, refunds, or travel vouchers online, but available alternatives may be limited during peak hours.

Passenger rights and compensation

Passenger groups stress that travelers hold strong rights under European rules. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation for cancellations or long delays, in addition to rerouting or refunds, depending on the circumstances.

The European Commission’s official page on air passenger rights explains eligibility and what airlines must provide, including meals, communication, and overnight accommodation when needed. That guidance is available here: https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/passenger-rights/air-passenger-rights_en.

Important: Keep receipts and documentation (emails, texts, photos of airport screens) — they can help if you claim compensation under EU261.

Union and management positions

FNV and CNV leaders say the ground staff strike reflects long-running strain on teams who handle check-in, baggage, and aircraft turnaround. They argue that rising traffic, tight staffing, and heavy schedules have made conditions unsustainable.

KLM’s public stance is that it wants to keep talking and minimize the impact on customers while working toward a labor deal. Neither side has signaled a clear breakthrough. Unions have warned that more action could follow if negotiations remain stuck after September 17.

Impact on travelers

The airport-wide effects are already visible in the schedule. While KLM is the main carrier affected, partner airlines that use KLM for ground handling can also face delays and cancellations, even if the flight is marketed under another brand.

Rebooking is most limited on long-haul routes where aircraft are already near full. Families and groups may find they get split across different departures. With the IT seat assignment issues, some customers may see delayed seat confirmations.

If you’re rebooked on a later date, you can still ask about alternate routes via partner airlines if seats open.

Schiphol has asked all travelers flying on Wednesday to take simple steps that help reduce pressure at the airport:

• Arrive early if your flight is operating.
• Travel with carry-on only if feasible to ease baggage backlogs.
• Keep boarding passes and ID ready at checkpoints.
• Follow airline messages closely and use apps for real-time gate and schedule changes.

Consumer advocates highlight that passengers should keep records—emails, texts, receipts, and photos of airport screens—since documentation can help with compensation claims. Services like EUclaim can help check eligibility under EU261/2004: https://www.euclaim.com, though passengers can also submit claims directly through the airline’s customer channels.

What passengers can do now

1. Check your status and options on KLM travel alerts: https://www.klm.us/information/travel-alerts. Use self-service tools to rebook, request a refund, or hold off travel if your trip is flexible.
2. Watch for email/SMS from KLM. Accept automatic rebooking quickly if it suits you—seats can disappear fast.
3. If your flight is cancelled, you’re entitled to rebooking or a refund. Ask about rerouting via partner hubs if there’s no space on direct flights.
4. For long waits at the airport, ask the airline for care: meals, drinks, and hotel if an overnight stay is needed. Keep receipts for reimbursement.
5. Review your rights under EU261 using the European Commission page before filing a claim: https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/passenger-rights/air-passenger-rights_en.
6. If your itinerary involves a codeshare or partner carrier but ground handling is by KLM at Schiphol, contact your airline to confirm any changes.
7. If you must travel on September 17, consider earlier departures or later in the day if your airline offers options outside the 08:00–12:00 strike window. Expect queues and plan extra time.

Practical considerations and outlook

KLM’s decision to cancel flights in advance is meant to avoid last-minute chaos at gates and baggage belts. It also creates breathing room to move as many passengers as possible to later departures.

Still, many travelers will face delays or date changes. While stressful, planning ahead can reduce missed connections and overnight stays. Business travelers should alert clients to possible late arrivals; families should consider travel insurance coverage for interruption costs.

For Schiphol, the ground staff strike tests the airport’s recovery after earlier years of disruption. Any extended labor standoff could challenge its schedule stability as the autumn travel period picks up. Analysts note that even a short morning stoppage can ripple into missed maintenance slots and tight crew duty limits, leading to cascading delays.

With no government intervention announced as of September 15, the focus remains on union–management talks. If the parties return to the table quickly after Wednesday, both sides could limit the need for further action. If not, travelers at Schiphol—and across KLM’s network beyond Amsterdam—could face more weeks of unpredictable schedules.