KLM at Schiphol Airport. Photo: Thomas Roell / Shutterstock KLM concludes the first quarter with an upward trend while preparing for a challenging year.
The Dutch airline ended the first quarter of 2026 with a turnover of €3.0 billion, almost unchanged compared to the same period last year, with operational results improving by more than €84 million and totaling a loss of €114 million.
The company attributes the improvement to stable operational activity, capacity growth, and the Back on Track improvement program, which contributed €159 million in savings and additional revenue in the first quarter beyond expectations.
However, KLM warns that the impact of geopolitical uncertainty is expected to increase from the second quarter, mainly due to the sharp increase in fuel prices. At the same time, the company is dealing with an increase in airport fees, wage agreements and the effects of extreme winter weather in January, against a backdrop of increasing pressures in the European aviation industry, with congestion and costs leading to the cancellation of dozens of KLM flights at Schiphol Airport, and later also to a temporary reduction in airport fees in an attempt to ease the burden on airlines.
As part of the streamlining efforts, one of the key steps in the quarter was the proposed acquisition of KLM Catering Services by Gategroup. In addition, the company is launching an employee and stakeholder engagement program to explore future scenarios for KLM up to 2030.
At Transavia, the subsidiary, revenues in the first quarter of 2026 were similar to those of last year. Pressure on revenues, due to, among other things, the war in the Middle East and snow disruptions, was partly offset by lower costs. Cargo operations were hit by winter weather at the beginning of the year, but recovered in March. The Engineering & Maintenance division also recorded improved results compared to last year.
“The results for the first quarter show that we are taking good steps with a strong operation and our improvement program, despite the difficult start of the year due to the extreme winter weather in January,” said KLM CEO Marjan Rintel, adding: “From the second quarter, we expect increasing pressure on results due to ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and sharply increased fuel prices. That is precisely why cost control, a stable operation and focus on the implementation of our improvement program remain much needed.”
KLM CFO Bas Brouns concluded: “We cannot fully pass on the high fuel prices resulting from geopolitical uncertainty to our customers. That puts pressure on the profitability of our operation. Therefore, we have taken measures to respond quickly to the changing circumstances, including through adjustments to the network and tight management of our cash position. Only then can we continue to invest in KLM’s future.”