The FNV trade union has called a 24-hour strike among KLM cabin crew on January 8 in protest at a reduction in the number of cabin staff on long-haul flights.

The union says for the past year crews have been placed in an ‘unworkable situation’ by the decision which has led to an ‘enormous’ increase in the pressure of work and disadvantages passengers.

Previous protests about the measure have been of much shorter duration.

KLM told news website Nu.nl it had taken note of the union’s plans. The FNV says the action could lead to no KLM flights leaving Schiphol airport on January 8.