KLM Cancels Flights After Ground Crew Strike

KLM has canceled at least 119 flights — with some reports saying more than 134 — after parts of its ground crew at Amsterdam Schiphol began strikes that have stranded thousands of passengers across Europe, North America and beyond. The disruption has hit both short‑haul European services and major long‑haul routes, including Amsterdam connections to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Toronto and New York, causing widespread delays and missed connections. Unions FNV and CNV say they rejected KLM’s offer of a 2.25% pay rise over two years as insufficient and accuse management of prioritizing pilots with larger pay increases. The action follows strike days on Sept. 10, 17 and a six‑hour walkout on Sept. 24, and unions have warned an eight‑hour strike on Oct. 1 may follow if talks fail. KLM has warned of further cancellations, is urging travelers to check the website or app, and is offering rebooking, refunds and possible compensation or expense reimbursement. Major outlets including Reuters have confirmed the cancellations while passengers and travel reports describe widespread disruption and frustration.