KLM Sees First Quarterly Operating Profit Since Start of Covid-19 Pandemic

Photo source: KLM

KLM Group’s operating result in the third quarter of 2021 amounted to a profit of 168 million euros, compared to a loss of 234 million euros in 2020 and a profit of 511 million euros in 2019.

According to KLM’s recently released third-quarter figures, turnover totaled 1.890 billion euros, compared to 1.144 billion euros in 2020 and 3.131 billion euros in 2019.

“The process of recovery that was already visible in the second quarter continued into the third quarter. This therefore marks the first time KLM has closed a quarter with an operating profit since the start of the Covid-19 crisis nineteen months ago,” the Group said.

The airline group said that its positive third-quarter figures was partly as a result of borders within Europe gradually opening up for travellers and the Caribbean part of the kingdom being assigned a green or yellow colour code by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Our customers were able to travel more in the third quarter because there were fewer travel restrictions within the EU… It’s clear that we are climbing out of the doldrums and that further recovery is underway,” said KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers.

Photo source: KLM

KLM welcomed 5.2 million passengers on board last summer, compared to 2.3 million in 2020 and 9.5 million in 2019. Transavia, part of the Air France-KLM Group, also reflected a positive trend.

The Group’s range of destinations will return to its pre-Covid-19 level with more emphasis on leisure. For next winter, customers will be able to choose from 162 KLM destinations.

“Marking another important milestone, the US will also open up to European passengers in the fourth quarter. While we’re not there yet, since the road to full recovery will be long and bumpy, we at KLM are ready for it,” Elbers added.