KLM
 

KLM are a huge part of UK connectivity, operating many routes into the UK.
Lately there's been a lot of changes to their operation, including the use of Eastern Airways and transfer of E-190 aircraft to Eastern and slot restrictions at Amsterdam.

KLM have reduced CWL to 2x daily flights since Summer 2024 and no signs of the overnighting aircraft returning.

Can anyone confirm if other Airports have seen reductions?
And can anyone shed any light on the exact issues KLM have been facing?

It's crewing issues and the well known engine problems with the 295's - see linked picture of two cocooned examples.

Thanks. Done some digging and found this article. It seems engine issues have meant shorter maintenance regimes but there isn't the capacity to deal with that.

https://aviationweek.com/air-transpo...oblems-persist

I don’t buy the engine problems being the source. People need to remember the 295s have not really replaced much of the old gen Embraers. They are actually replacing 737-7s and providing growth on top of that. KLM never seemed to have this many problems before when they had 175s and 190s serving the regions. They now have 295s and a fair few aircraft from German Airways and Eastern on top of that but are struggling more. Has to be a crewing issue.

I understand it is crewing that’s the issue, people moving up internally from CF to mainline and not enough coming through to replace. I might be wrong if course, but the U.K. network is quite extensive and dropping their UK base network a decade or so ago appears to be showing issues now too.

If there isn't an engine element, why are they cocooning a/c without engines? If it was just crewing you would have them all airworthy so you could manage hours and extend the time between maintenance. Plenty of 295's operating KLC flights.

Not many Embraers at MAN especially 295s mainly 737s and A321s

What I am yet to understand is whether the Eastern/German deal is a temporary solution to a short term problem or if this is now part of a longer term outsourcing plan?

KLM Edinburgh
 

peak summer 2025 Edinburgh 35 weekly mainly mainline and A321 also

Think BHX retains 5 daily, a brief look at schedules in June shows 4 in mainline, 1 on Cityhopper, no Eastern but plenty of time for that to change I guess....

Now that the E195-E2 has been cleared to LCY, are we likely to see KLM operating it there too?