KLM. Photo: Shutterstock KLM and the Dutch Ministry of Defense have signed a close cooperation agreement in the air and on the ground.
The agreement includes allocating time for KLM pilots interested in serving as reservists in the F35 fighter jets of the Dutch Air Force. Additionally, there is an intention to promote more intensive cooperation in other areas.
For years, KLM and the security forces have cooperated in various domains, such as repatriating Dutch citizens, exchanging knowledge, and providing support. The new agreement is a significant step towards closer cooperation between civilian and military aviation in the Netherlands.
Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM, and Gijs Tuinman, acting State Secretary, attended the signing ceremony yesterday, July 7, at Hangar 14 at Schiphol Airport.
The State Secretary praised KLM's approach: "The world around us has become less secure, and the challenges for the armed forces are significant. Therefore, cooperation with the business sector is critical, as we can help and strengthen each other. I am pleased with this step towards even closer cooperation that we are taking today with KLM to make the Netherlands more resilient".
Marjan Rintel added: "I am proud that KLM can contribute to the resilience of the Netherlands in this way today. Through this expansion of our cooperation, we can provide colleagues interested in doing so the opportunity to play an important role as reservists. This contributes to the attractiveness of KLM as an employer. We are also happy that the defense forces can benefit from our aviation expertise and experience in various fields".
KLM is making 5 'full-time positions' available to the security services. These hours can be divided among a larger group of pilots interested in flying as reservists for the defense forces, on a voluntary basis starting today for pilots currently active at KLM. They may be stationed for regular pilot training on the F35.
KLM and the Ministry of Defense are also exploring further cooperation possibilities in the fields of recruitment, training technical personnel, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and air transportation. Details of the closer cooperation will be finalized in the near future.