KLM scraps 160 “uneconomic” flights in coming month

Dutch flag carrier KLM has scrapped 160 European flights to and from Schiphol airport in the coming month because they would not be “financially-viable” due to rising kerosene prices.

Passengers already booked on the flights will be offered an alternative on the next available flight, KLM said.

The scrapped flights are all to cities such as London and Dusseldorf, where KLM flies several times a day, so there are plenty of alternatives, the airline said. In total, 1% of the airline’s European flights will be affected.

The International Energy Agency said earlier on Thursday that Europe has six weeks’ worth of kerosene reserves. The situation could become critical in June,  IEA chief Fatih Birol told news agency AP, if Europe is not able to replace at least half the fuel it currently imports from the Middle East via other sources.

There is currently no question of a kerosene shortage, KLM said.

KLM also said it expects a busy May holiday period and that it is “making sure passengers can travel to their holiday destinations as planned”.