KLM ground staff considering 24-hour strike in June 2025

Update: The KLM strike on the 28th of June will ultimately not take place. The judge reviewing the case announced that the 24-hour strike would have a negative impact on the security at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. KLM flights are expected to operate as usual on that day.

A major disruption is looming at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. The unions representing KLM’s ground personnel are preparing for a 24-hour strike, after the airline failed to meet collective labor agreement demands. Although no official date has been announced, the strike is expected to take place after the NATO Summit concludes on June 26, potentially impacting the start of the busy summer holiday travel season. 

Flying soon? Here’s what you need to know about your rights and how to claim compensation if your flight is delayed or canceled as a result of KLM’s strike. 

June 2025 KLM strike: major disruptions expected at Schiphol Airport

The full-day strike by KLM ground staff on June 28th is set to cause major disruptions at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, further compounding the pressure already heightened by the NATO Summit, which concludes on June 26th.

Schiphol is already dealing with some serious challenges. One runway is closed for maintenance, and another is being taken out of service to serve as a parking area for private jets carrying NATO VIPs. On top of that, the busy summer travel rush is right around the corner, with school holidays across the Netherlands starting on July 5.

Who’s behind the June 2025 KLM strike?

KLM’s ground staff play a crucial role in keeping daily air traffic running smoothly. They handle everything from loading and unloading luggage to towing planes, refueling, dispatching flights, and helping passengers at check-in and boarding gates.

After 20 rounds of negotiations with no agreement, KLM has refused to offer a wage increase and instead proposed a two-year salary freeze—a move unions have called “unacceptable.”

Union leaders say the divide between management and frontline workers has grown unreasonably wide. For example, CNV highlighted that while pilots received €29 million in bonuses and directors saw their variable pay rise by over 32%, ground staff are being asked to accept no financial improvements.

KLM has yet to outline the potential impact of the planned strike, as the airline is actively pursuing legal measures to stop it from going ahead. Describing the strike as disproportionate, KLM highlights its current financial challenges and has made a moral appeal to the unions, urging cooperation by emphasizing that “now that the need is greatest, we need everyone to roll up their sleeves to put us back in a healthy position”.

KLM strike and flight disruptions: can I claim compensation?

Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261), if a strike involves airline staff, as is the case here, it does not count as an “extraordinary circumstance.” This means that KLM remains responsible for disruptions caused by its own personnel and is expected to pay compensation to the affected passengers.

What does this mean for you? If your KLM  flight is canceled or delayed and you arrive three hours or more late at your final destination due to this strike, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 per passenger!

How can I claim compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight due to the KLM strike?

If your KLM flight is delayed or canceled, it’s important to gather as much information as possible from the airline and keep all relevant documents, including your boarding pass, ticket, and any communications from the airline. These will be crucial to support your claim.

Once you have everything, you can submit your claim on Flight Delayed. With over 10 years of experience and a 98% success rate, we handle all aspects of your case and communicate directly with the airline on your behalf. If necessary, we will even take the airline to court. We operate on a “no win, no fee” basis, so you only pay once you receive your compensation!