Pilots who work for KLM’s budget airline Transavia are planning to strike in the second half of February, a period which also includes the half-term ‘crocus’ holidays, broadcaster NOS said on Tuesday.

Transavia’s 500 pilots have been without a pay agreement for over a year and negotiations broke down last Friday. ‘A strike would appear to be the only way to have our demands met,’ the pilots’ union VNV said in a leaflet handed out to passengers.

‘We assume all Transavia plans at Schiphol, Eindhoven and Rotterdam airports will remain on the ground during the strike, which will last for several hours,’ NOS quoted the union as saying.

The pilots are demanding improvements in the flight rosters so they can better plan in free time and time with their families. Currently, pilots face continual roster changes, the union says.

In addition, they are calling for a ‘modest pay rise’ and that their employer contributes into a special fund for pilots who become unable to fly through illness. KLM has a similar fund for its pilots.