Up to 6,000 KLM layoffs as reorganization continues

Airline KLM is preparing for its first forced layoffs. Up to 20 percent of the 30 thousand KLM employees will lose their jobs in the coming years - up to 6 thousand jobs.

CEO Pieter Elbers informed employees about this in a letter, the Telegraaf reports. According to Elbers, the airline has to become smaller and more efficient, and KLM's current effort to help redundant employees to another internal function is not enough. "It is difficult and is going to hurt", Elbers writes.

The airline is setting up an so-called "transition center" to help KLM employees to other jobs outside the airline.  KLM will give more information on the transition center later this month, once the council has given its approval.

The Dutch airline, along with partner Air-Friance, still have not quite recovered from a difficult 2014. Revenues remains under pressure due to fierce competition, and cost cutting seems to be the only way out.