The KLM Group has posted an operating loss of €31 million (R617,1m) for the first half of 2024 despite higher revenue than in the same period last year.
Revenues amounted to €6 billion (R119,6bn) compared with €5.6 billion (R111,6bn) in the first six months of 2023.
The operating loss strongly contrasts with the €129 million (R2,57 billion) profit for the same period in 2023.
KLM CEO, Marjan Rintel, said the airline’s results had fallen short of expectations due to significantly higher costs.
“The operation was more stable, but capacity could not yet be fully utilised. The fleet could not be fully deployed. We have insufficient numbers of pilots and engineering staff and face long delivery times for spare parts.
“In the period ahead, the focus will be on cost control and improving our financial performance. We will soon announce additional measures for the entire company. This is a difficult message but essential for KLM's future,” Rintel said.
KLM carried close to 16 million passengers during the first half of the year.
