KLM sells KLM Jet Center to Jet Aviation

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Jet Aviation have reached a definitive agreement on the sale of activities of the KLM Jet Center effective 1 October 2018.

The reason for the sale is that KLM wishes to focus on its core business. The activities of the KLM Jet Center differ from KLM’s core business in that they take place within a very specific handling market for business and private jets, operating out of Schiphol-Oost and Rotterdam.

“KLM arrived at this decision by way of careful investigation and consultation, concluding that the Swiss company Jet Aviation was best suited to take over the KLM Jet Center,” the airline said.

KLM has been handling flights of this kind out of the Schiphol-Oost since 1986. A similar center was opened in Rotterdam in 2004. The sale of activities and fixed assets of the KLM Jet Center also implies a transfer of the undertaking, which means all staff will take service with Jet Aviation Netherlands B.V. as of today. Staff was informed of this at an earlier stage and involved in the process. KLM reached an agreement with trade unions on the transfer of labor terms and conditions that will be upheld by the new employer.

Eelco van Asch, Senior Vice President Hub Operations Schiphol, said:

“KLM thanks its Jet Center staff for their solid and often longstanding dedication to the handling of business and private jets. I wish them the best of success at Jet Aviation and I am convinced they will pursue their work with equal passion there.”