Extra supervision for KLM’s maintenance arm over safety concerns

Dutch flag carrier KLM’s maintenance division has been put under s etricter supervision because of concerns about its workplace safety culture.

The environment and transport inspectorate (ILT) confirmed to the Volkskrant that the special measures had been put in place at KLM Engineering & Maintenance since May and would last for the rest of the year.

The company handles more than 3,000 aircraft and components a year on behalf of major airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa and Emirates, as well as KLM and Transavia. It recorded a turnover of €2.4 billion last year, 18% of KLM’s total activity.

The ILT would give details of what issues had prompted the move, citing confidentiality, but stressed there were no implications for aircraft safety.

A spokesman told the Volkskrant that KLM’s security management was at the “minimal level of maturity and the supervision would focus on “compliance and administrative findings that can lead to operational security risks”.