The Dutch national airline KLM confirmed he wants to impose a salary freeze for at least two years, following reports from the RTL News.

This plan appears in a letter sent by KLM to the ten unions involved in the negotiations, before the start of salary negotiations this year, RTL reported. The current pay deal for floor, cabin And the flying crew ends in February.

KLM offers a salary freeze because, said RTL claims to have no financial room for a salary increase. Salaries, according to KLM, have increased by 25% since 2019 and are now “higher than those of other airlines and large Dutch companies”.

The airline also faces higher maintenance costs and Schiphol fees are expected to increase by 37% in the coming years.

Cabin crew and pilot unions VNC and VNV declined to comment on KLM’s letter, saying they would “save their reactions for the negotiating table.”

KLM reserved net profit of 396 million euros in the last quarter but this is a “historic low”, said the company when presenting the figures. Parent company Air France-KLM reserved net profit of 824 million euros in the third quarter of this year.

Among the others cost saving The proposed measures include removing the alcohol allowance for crews during overnight stays and booking cheaper hotels. The airline also wants to discuss further retirement with the pilots, RTL reported.