KLM may scrap some EX-YU routes in 2023 over green cap


KLM could potentially terminate over thirty destinations from its network if the Dutch government proceeds with its plans to impose a “green cap” limiting movements at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to minimise noise pollution and CO2 emissions. As EX-YU Aviation News learns, services to Belgrade and Zagreb are among those shortlisted for termination along with the likes of Istanbul, Porto and Tel Aviv. Medium and long haul destinations would also be cut. In total, 25 of the proposed routes would be in Europe. In a sign of things to come, KLM has halved its planned flights to both Belgrade and Zagreb this coming winter season from double daily to daily, although this reduction is in relation to the ongoing caps Schiphol Airport has introduced due to a chronic shortage of staff. The airline still plans to upgrade its seasonal summer Split service to year-round operations this winter, with daily flights to be maintained to Croatia’s second largest city.

The Dutch government has detailed changes that would effectively limit Schiphol to a maximum of 440.000 flight movements per year from November 2023. This marks a significant reduction from the current 500.000-movement cap, as well as reversing earlier plans that would have allowed growth to 540.000 movements, which is 20% above the planned cap. KLM is pleading with the Dutch parliament to reverse the planned capacity limits. The airline spoke of “significant damage” to its network, in part because the company has to cope with transfer passengers who fly from, for example, Asia via Schiphol to another destination in Europe. “In recent years, we have added unique connections to make the Europe operation profitable and to make KLM financially healthy”, the airline said. According to KLM, this shrinkage is unnecessary because fleet renewal leads to better outcomes for noise and emission reduction. Replacing old aircraft with more fuel-efficient planes could cut noise by half by 2030. The newer aircraft would also reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 15%.

KLM’s operations to both Zagreb and Belgrade have been successful. Services to the Croatian capital were launched on a seasonal summer basis in 2014 but were quickly extended to year-round flights. Operations were increased to double daily last year as the Dutch carrier became Zagreb’s busiest foreign airline during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand, KLM introduced three weekly services to Belgrade in May of last year. The route has performed well with the airline boosting operations to double daily within just three months of its launch. KLM competes against both Croatia Airlines and Air Serbia on its respective operations to Zagreb and Belgrade.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    I'm beyond words about this policy by the Dutch government.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Netherlands keeps winning!

      Delete
    2. Dejan Milinković11:55

      Yes, it my scrap over green crap.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:22

      Absolute nonsense. Green FRAUD. CO2 constitutes 0,3% of the atmosphere. Human activity is responsible for about 0,3 to 0,5%.... So make your own conclusion. Regurgitation of that stupid neomalthusian garbage will return you too the stone age. Yes, the price of realizing this is high; institutions do not work for you.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:59

      Totalitarianism as it best.

      Delete
    5. Dejan Milinković13:26

      Haven't we all been living in totalitarianism for last three years? If closing people or introducing covid passport were not clear signs of totalitarianism I really don't know what they are.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous14:26

      @Dejan
      Yupp, some people don`t see it even if it`s in front of their nose. Despite all of their education. Strange.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:02

    We are going backwards...
    Wth is this?
    The planes that are used right now are the most environmentally friendly there ever were

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous09:02

    Greta Thunberg likes this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:04

      Lufthansa too

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:48

      So does OU!

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:03

    I think it is so unfair how activists blame aviation for all environmental problems yet it is an industry that has done the most to innovate and turn to becoming more green.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:27

      But you understand that people who don't travel for work or who don't have far flung families think of it as a frivolous waste of resources and source of CO2? I need to fly, and maybe you do too, but we are in a minority.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous08:05

      These arguments would end once and for all with a flat tax on carbon emissions. This would increase the flight ticket prices in actual proportion to the damage inflicted upon nature. Not hard to imagine this increase being significant enough to stop those fly because they’re bored or want to go to a disco for weekend, and NOT significant enough to stop those who go see family once per year or who fly for significant business. Problem solved. It would also significantly stop unnecessary urban sprawl (lots of emissions taxes every day = don’t live an hour of driving away from your work just so you can have 5 bathrooms and a wine cellar, but = still OK to go for one or two road trips per year) and actually stop all significant sources of emissions while relieving us of the absurdities of energy-saving vacuum cleaners and similar nonsense that saves 0.0001% of emissions. But this will never come to pass because this way the politicians don’t get to meddle and decide who gets to emit CO2 and who doesn’t…

      Delete
  5. Anonymous09:03

    The Dutch government certainly knows how to kill off its economy and jobs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      Not the first time. Dutch farmers are protesting because the government's proposals for tackling nitrogen emissions which means a big cut in livestock. They have lost the plot.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:36

      They kill the economy and peoples purchasing power with their climate stuff. In the Netherlands there are more then enough jobs so that's not the biggest problem besides Schiphol already has staff shortages.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:50

      The Netherlands everyone knows is past, welcome to the future aka trying if new stupid ideas would work so they can be world's first in everything.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous14:57

      * more than enough

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:04

    There is more and more pressure on the government to amend this ridiculous policy so hopefully they won't be ending these routes.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:06

    Not good. Especially since they are already significantly cutting frequencies to BEG and ZAG this winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      Wouldn't it have made more sense to keep ZAG double daily this winter and not launch Split?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:18

      I find it odd too although they cut BEG and ZAG in just the last few days. Obviously it wasn't something they planned on doing.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:57

      Launching winter flights into a highly seasonal leisure destination while cutting flights to already proven capital destinations (and decimating their transatlantic connectivity) is totally weird. Considering all the developments including farmers' protests, lack of the cheapest labor (security staff and ramp workers) causing collapse of most advanced and complex business sector, and these measures to go green, I wonder if Dutch people finally started to smoke what they sell to the tourists so far?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:26

      I think a world famous and highly experienced airline knows better than people on forums

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:31

      Anon 10:26 Alitalia, PanAm, Malev, Kingfisher, Transaero, Air Berlin, Monarch, Spanair, Germania and Thomas Cook liked this comment.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:51

      It is likely they got incentives to keep the route over winter.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:07

    KLM has become very popular in BEG very fast. They are performing extremely well with a lot of transfer passengers to a lot of destinations. It would be a real shame to loose them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:15

      And they are actually quite a good airline, especially on eurosectors, compared to others.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:52

      Another factor is profitability. KLM flies a lot of business-heavy routes like, for example, London City, Billund, Bergen etc. Ticket prices are often in the high 3-digits. So I guess they would want to reserve enough capacity for those first, before looking at gasto/transfer routes.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:54

      Sorry, this should have been a reply to the comment below :)

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:08

    I wonder what their rationale was to deciding which routes get cut? Considering they went from 3 weekly to double daily to BEG in just a few months is an indication that loads aren't the issue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:10

      Maybe where they have competition? IST is also on the list.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:11

      In Belgrade and Zagreb they have a codeshare with JU and OU so transfer passengers would just use them to fly to and from AMS.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:12

      I agree with last anon. They were probably looking on which routes they have codeshares and where they can transfer passengers to partners.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:16

      It is likely a mixture of factors. Competitions, weaker routes, routes where they can codeshare with others...

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:16

      *competition.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:53

      Another factor is profitability. KLM flies a lot of business-heavy routes like, for example, London City, Billund, Bergen etc. Ticket prices are often in the high 3-digits. So I guess they would want to reserve enough capacity for those first, before looking at gasto/transfer routes.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous10:51

      Certainly yields played a big role in their decision.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous15:21

      What are the yields?

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:10

    AMS is an absolute mess. I flew from/to there just 10 days ago. Huge lines everywhere, over an hour at immigration, we had to wait in the plane for 30 minutes until someone showed up to connect the air bridge to the plane, huge lines at every shop at the airport. Shambles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:25

      No wonder more and more airlines are looking at alternatives for AMS.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous09:11

    So by winter 2023/24 these routes could be gone from KLM's network?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:13

      Yes

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:51

      Hopefully it won't come to that

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:51

      Hopefully it will! Both OU and JU will profit from this left, sorry, green agenda!

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:11

    This practically limits KLM from any growth in the future. Madness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:14

      That's what KLM has been telling the parliament. It is a death sentence for them.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous09:11

    Well, I guess (yet) another opportunity for ASL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:13

      I think all airlines will be limited from growing at AMS from winter 23/24. Not just KLM.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous09:13

    Stunned by how progre the Netherlands are heading to. A super important European airport like Amsterdam with 6 runways, flights to worldwide destinations and a pioneer for years...and a country with a population of almost the entire ex-Yu region to "think green" similar to the same bs in Sweden is just hilarious.
    Not to mention the hectic and embarrassing situation in Schiphol with the lack of staff. Probably hired as the news libs in the "green government".
    Man, the West that you all praise is heading towards a sure and slow end.
    Simply unbelievable..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:09

      W
      Because they are takong action? Are you aware that we can bot keep living like we do, we are becomi g more and more people on earrh and if we all lived like westerners the world would be gone already. We just consume consume consume without thinking of enviromenent

      Delete
  15. Anonymous09:15

    KLM to scrap Istanbul over green cap?

    Yeah yeah. :)

    KLM daily 1 flight in AMS - IST route with 737.
    TK daily 5 flights in AMS - IST route with all wide bodies (A333, B787 and A359).

    Yeah green cap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:27

      Nobody will even notice they are gone.
      It's like BA or LH would say they are terminating flights to the Gulf. I wonder who on earth flies with LH to DXB or DOH anyway....

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:31

      True

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:32

      Mostly transfer passengers reaching destinations they can't from DXB or DOH, especially in Europe.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous09:16

    I fly Amsterdam to Belgrado at least 7-8 times per year and on KLM. Flights are always full and frequently get upgauged to 295 Embraer. The fares on this route is also usually much higher than to nearby places I also visit for work. But with Schiphol today being 3rd world garbage and our cows seen as enviromental facists, nothing more can surprise me from this ridiculous government. Netherlands is sliding backwars at F1 speed so this forced decision should not surprise anyone and KLM will pay a huge price undeservadly.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous09:17

    Go woke, go broke

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:21

      Couldn't have said it better.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:28

      Liberalist extremism and fundamentalism of Western Europeans will be the death knell of Europe.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous09:19

    Why would you do something like this to your airline and airport?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous09:20

    Sad

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous09:21

    Makes no sense, especially with KLM getting newer and greener planes.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous09:22

    What other routes does KLM fly to in ex-Yu?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:23

      Other than the ones mentioned in the article, just Dubrovnik.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:17

      Very limited presence.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous09:22

    Well there goes my wish of them introducing Ljubljana anytime soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:35

      Slovène government is almost on the same mindset similar to the Dutch. Instead of fixing the business lounge in LJU and creating new routes, they are "thinking green" and busy with other way less important issues.
      Man, look at Serbia. A non-EU country and less economically developed compared to Slovenia.
      During the last, couple of years it managed to significantly improve its aviation. BEG secured so many new routes, has slowly developed its smaller regional airports. Not to mention the significant improvements made by Air Serbia.
      Slovenia government is probably busy with gender issues rather than having a strong and important, regional airport that'll give jobs to many people and invite more business to the country.
      Just a shame, really.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:49

      What does the government have to do with fixing an airport lounge?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:01

      Did Fraport drop that to the government's lap too?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:03

      File a serious complaint against the concessionaire for instance. Did you read yesterday's comments about the airport business lounge in the news section? Did you read the online reviews?

      Delete
  23. Anonymous09:25

    This will probably impact Transavia too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:39

      It will impact all airlines, but KLM the most.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous09:32

    Who knows, maybe in 10 years we'll be paying double for healthy Dutch agro products. I wouldn't call stupid all these measures, they are smart folks, although this one looks too particular. Best regards from Belgrade which is, last evening and this morning, the most polluted capital city in the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:41

      When you guys have your metro ready by 2028 things will change. Believe me, a big city without a proper metro system is not good and traffic becomes a nightmare. Good example is neighbouring Sofia. They now have almost 50 stations and traffic and pollution are still there but decreased as time went by.
      A city like Beograd with 1,7 million people urgently needs at least 50 stations as well if not more.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:12

      No, metro is green agenda. Fossil fuels rock.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous09:38

    I hope they give up on these plans.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous09:38

    Hope not. Would miss their blue and white planes.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous09:39

    Don't know for who they are expanding infrastructure at AMS for.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:42

      The expansion project started before these silly policies were announced.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:52

      The project is really delayed.

      Delete
  28. Anonymous09:44

    Talk about self destructive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:52

      You could look at it both ways. Maybe long term it is the right decision.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:23

      Maybe is not an argument.

      Delete
  29. Anonymous10:03

    Not surprised at all. WEF infested Rutte government and the Great Reset.

    ReplyDelete
  30. JU520 BEGLAX10:20

    The only question is, how much do we people allow them (politicians) to go? In my eyes it's already clear since 2020: we need millions on the streets of AMS PAR BER FRA MUC HAM DUS CGN STR FLR NAP MAD BCN LIS VLC ROM MIL VIE PRG WAW STO OSL ZRH GVA BRN BRU AMS CPH HEL BUD SOF LJU ZAG ATH and if this is not helping, general strikes until all government fall and we get reasonable politics back, not just in terms of the green agenda, also in terms of Covid and the relations to Russia. We need immediate peace in the Ukraine, with current governments in the EU and WAS, this however is not possible.

    AMS is just the start. In the UK they are studies (financed by the gvment) to shut down all airports by 2030, except for LHR BFS and GLA. I have the study and could share it with admin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:42

      What are you going on about???

      Delete
    2. Anonymous22:01

      @Admin how is this comment allowed?

      Delete
  31. Anonymous11:22

    Wow a real shame

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous11:51

    This is ludicrous.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous11:53

    I don't understand that they still haven't sorted out their staffing issues at AMS. Are we to expect caps next summer too because they have no workers?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:04

      No hard workers is not the problem.The problem is that Schiphol wants to compete with the global big airports. That's why they pay the staff minimum wage. There is loads of work in the Netherlands. You can easy find a job that is easier and pays better.

      Delete
  34. Anonymous14:42

    Lowcosters will be hardest hit by green reductions. No more citybreaks for 30eur.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous23:56

      Big mistake. Because those 30€ citybreaks usually end up you paying 150€ for instance. You sustain the local economy, local hotel, bus driver and so many others.
      Greeners think that by introducing green politics they will "protect the environment". Will a protected enviornment pay your future pension or sustain the current economy?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous00:18

      KLM like other major airlines will have to reduce operations and fleet over time. If proud tradition and legacy of KLM is not spared from government pressure, who will then save lowcosters? Lowcoster's dreams about doubling fleet will face brutal reality once EU is done with major airlines. LCCs will be thrown under the bus.

      Delete
  35. Anonymous15:43

    Will they limit the number of flights by OU & JU to AMS?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:11

      Probably. Since they have limited staff.

      Delete
  36. notLufthansa16:20

    Flying is privelege, not right. Use trains lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:45

      What an intellect.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:47

      Use trains to get around? Like before the invention of the aeroplane? Go back 150 years? Very smart.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous16:53

      I'm pretty sure he is being ironic.

      Delete
    4. notLufthansa17:45

      ^^^ at least one with brains.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous19:09

      If you think trains today in (western) Europe are same as they were 150 year ago, then I really wonder under which rock do you live.

      Delete
  37. Anonymous16:37

    I understand the issue with the climate but in some Western European countries it really has become “cult” like. You have them talk about the existence of humanity as if they haven’t had below replacement fertility for years lmao

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:46

      More of a mad house than a cult.

      Delete
  38. Boris17:16

    I wouldnt look at this decision too tragically. It is conscious decision to gradually shutdown Capitalism. It run its course of ever expanding growth with shrinking resources. Of course there is also an element that certain countries decided that they dont want to trade anymore their hard assets for imaginary assets (oil/gas for digital/paper currency) . So what is left to do ? You have to create some Value based ideology (Green agenda) to justify decisions of shutting down gradually the economy. For Ex-Yu transatlantic passengers is a bit inconvenience in terms of choices to reach their final destinations but they will al find the way. Amsterdam loss is Istanbul gain. Instead of KLM passengers will use TK on transatlantic flights; so it is not big deal. Maybe even have a day layover in Istanbul and taste some good baklava LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous20:18

      So communism with extra steps. No thanks.

      Delete
    2. Boris22:22

      All I am saying that KLM cancellations are not tragic. As far as new transhumanism promoted by West they will have to resolve by themselves in the West.

      Delete
  39. Anonymous18:01

    Expect KLM to follow Shell on moving to the UK. Air France will be happy to have a weak partner.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous20:11

    Get woke, go broke

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous20:28

    This happens when you are listening without asking. Then you do not deserve to fly or go anywhere. Stay home, work 9-9, and die. Thank you but no thank you 🤣.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous21:37

    Who cares? There are other, cheaper alternatives to KLM. And those people who are off topic about the air pollution and traffic in Beograd should try living in New York City or any other large city in the USA.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Anonymous03:20

    This is what Liberalism has done to Nertherlands and Europe overall, keep listening to Climate protesting Liberals, this what happens.

    Liberalism has destroyed Europe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:03

      So we should return to socialist way of managing economy?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:49

      But this is contrary of liberalism.

      Delete

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