KLM Plans to Consolidate Schiphol Cargo Handling in Its Own Warehouse

KLM plans to handle cargo carried on its passenger aircraft and freighters in one of its own warehouses at Schiphol. The airline says it will use simpler processes, more automation and employees working across different activities to manage higher freight volumes without additional hires.

Key details

• Air France-KLM reported third-quarter cargo revenue of €677 million, up 25.2% year on year; cargo traffic revenue reached €566 million, up 24.9%.
• KLM’s revenue tonne-kilometers increased 15.7%, while cargo capacity grew 4.5%. Its cargo load factor rose 5.2 percentage points to 53.9%.
• The group carried 236,000 tonnes of cargo, an increase of 5%, and revenue per available tonne-kilometer rose 21.9% at constant currency.
• Schiphol handled 127,750 tonnes of cargo in September, up 8% year on year. Cargo volume for the first nine months of the year increased 10%.
• KLM plans to consolidate handling to attract transfer freight and prepare for a new cargo terminal scheduled for completion in 2035.

Air France-KLM’s cargo revenue rose 25.2% year on year to €677 million in the third quarter.

Why it matters

Air France-KLM attributed cargo growth to demand linked to AI supply chains and shifts from sea to air. The group cited disruption around the Suez Canal and Strait of Hormuz among the factors behind those shifts. Consolidated handling would bring freight from KLM passenger flights and freighters into the same warehouse operation at Schiphol.