KLM had a tough and rough week, not from an operational point of view but politically. The Dutch airline was grilled in parliament following a highly critical report of the state agent, which concluded that KLM has failed to meet numerous terms and conditions set out in the 2020 state aid package. KLM tried to factually counter the claims, but this was too late and damage was already done. AirInsight got a chance to discuss the situation on Sunday with CEO Marjan Rintel ahead of the IATA AGM in Istanbul. Insight: KLM’s week of political grilling.
First, let’s recap what it is all about. In June 2020 and months after the first Covid wave struck, the Dutch government came to the rescue of KLM with a €3.4 billion package. It consisted of a direct loan and loans from fourteen banks, guaranteed by the state.
Active as a journalist since 1987, with a background in newspapers, magazines, and a regional news station, Richard has been covering commercial aviation on a freelance basis since late 2016.
Richard is contributing to AirInsight since December 2018. He also writes for Airliner World, Aviation News, Piloot & Vliegtuig, and Luchtvaartnieuws Magazine. Twitter: @rschuur_aero.
