KLM Staff Voice Concerns Over Israel Flight Resumption

‍DALLAS — Despite ongoing and unpredictable turmoil in the country, KLM (KL) will resume flights to Israel at the end of May. 

NOS, the Netherlands' news organization, reports that the Dutch airline’s employees are very concerned about this decision. Less than two weeks ago, on May 4, a ballistic rocket hit Ben-Guiron Airport in Tel Aviv, the Israeli airport that KLM flies to.

Due to safety concerns, KL suspended flights to Tel Aviv 11 months ago. However, a KL spokesperson today could not explain why the airline now considers it safe, despite recent bombings. 

On May 4, a ballistic missile struck near Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv. The attack was claimed by the Houthis in Yemen, and at least six people were injured. This prompted concerns on KL’s internal forums. The cabin crew union (VNC) and the pilots’ union (VNV) also reported hearing concerns from their members.

“Security is checked every day,” an airline security expert said. “It depends on numerous factors, for which we [KLM] consult our own sources and those of the government. That is often confidential information.”

KLM Employee Concerns

However, internal messages seen by NOS show that KL employees are less convinced about how safe Israel is. They are expressing concerns on KL’s forums about the recent rocket attack in which at least six people were injured. The trade unions for cabin crew have also reportedly noted concerns from their members.

“As long as something rare does not happen, such as a rocket attack despite an air defense system, we assume that it will not happen in the future either,” a KL employee wrote on the airline’s forums. “Until it suddenly does happen, and then it becomes clear how vulnerable those assumptions are.”

“The last time colleagues went here before the war, they had to go into the bomb shelters under loud sirens and be quickly repatriated home,” another KLM employee wrote. “Even on a day when Israel was able to assess and guarantee safety itself.”

The KLM Safety Council notes that the employees’ concerns “have not gone unnoticed.” Another post shows KL saying the airline understands employees’ questions about Tel Aviv reappearing in their rosters. 

“We would not take this step if there were any doubts about the situation on the ground,” the airline wrote. To reinforce KL’s confidence in how safe it is to fly to Israel and spend time in the crew hotel, the airline said two high-ranking officials would be on the first flight.

KLM also has financial interests in resuming flights. The airline recently said that stopping flights to Israel was one reason for its lower-than-hoped results.

Other Airlines

According to NOS, Lufthansa (LH), which includes ITA (AZ) and Brussels Airlines (SN), suspended its flights again after the May 4 attack, at least until May 18.

Air France (AF) had resumed flights to Tel Aviv but decided last week to suspend them again until May 20.

British Airways (BA), United Airlines (UA), and Delta Air Lines (DL) have canceled flights until mid-June. EasyJet (U2) had planned to resume on June 1 but has extended its suspension until the end of June.

Air Canada (AC), which would resume flights on June 8, announced a three-month delay.