KLM has announced plans to speed up a wide-ranging transformation aimed at strengthening the airline’s operational and financial foundations and improving its readiness for future market challenges. The program is set to simplify the organization, improve operational reliability, and continue reducing costs while simultaneously increasing revenues. It also includes changes to KLM’s management model.
Under the new approach, KLM’s Executive Board—together with leaders of key operational divisions—will place greater emphasis on day-to-day oversight of operations. The goal is to make performance more reliable and predictable for both customers and employees.
Against the backdrop of these planned organizational changes, Marjan Rintel has been nominated for a second four-year term as KLM’s President and CEO. The reappointment is intended to ensure leadership continuity and maintain momentum in delivering the transformation agenda.
Pressure from Regulation, Taxes, and External Costs
KLM’s Supervisory Board and the leadership of the Air France–KLM Group—headed by Group CEO Benjamin Smith—stress that the airline continues to face significant challenges. These include a demanding regulatory environment in the Dutch aviation market, substantial tax increases, and rising external costs.
At the same time, the company believes that consistent implementation of structural and managerial reforms can deliver lasting performance improvement and help meet the financial objectives of the wider Group. Benjamin Smith has also declared stronger support for KLM and an effort to identify additional synergies within the Air France–KLM Group, expressing confidence that KLM can achieve its goals and generate meaningful value for the Group.
Rintel’s Second Term: Process and Rationale
In the context of the organizational shift, the Air France–KLM Board has approved the nomination of Marjan Rintel for a second four-year term as KLM’s President and CEO. The renewal was proposed by KLM’s Supervisory Board and Group CEO Benjamin Smith.
The nomination is currently subject to consultation with the Works Council, and formal confirmation is expected at KLM’s General Meeting of Shareholders.
“KLM operates in a demanding and highly competitive environment. To succeed, we need solid operational and financial foundations. That is why we are intensifying and accelerating our transformation. We will take structural measures to simplify the organization, improve operations, increase revenues, and lower costs. Together with my fellow Board members, I will be more directly involved in overseeing operations so that KLM meets customer expectations while achieving healthy profitability,” said Marjan Rintel.
Her reappointment—backed by both the Group CEO and KLM’s Supervisory Board—is designed to provide stability and ensure consistent execution of the planned transformation.
A New Chief Operating Officer
The organizational changes will also affect KLM’s operational leadership and the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Current COO Maarten Stienen has announced that he will not seek another term and will step down after the General Meeting of Shareholders. KLM will appoint a new COO in line with the revised management model and the priorities of the transformation program.
