Passenger numbers fell by 95% in the second quarter of 2020, from over 9 million to less than half a million. Operating income amounted to a loss of €493 million. During the same period in 2019, we earned €270 million in profit.
The figures for the first half-year reflect a marginally more favourable picture, because KLM performed well in January and February before the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Nonetheless, KLM’s turnover almost halved to a figure of €2.8 billion in the first six months of 2020 in comparison with the same period in 2019.
Operating income amounted to a loss of €768 million for the first half-year, compared to a profit of €223 million for the same period in 2019. A decline of almost €1 billion.
Capacity fell by more than 50%, coupled with a decline in passenger numbers of more than 60% to a figure of 8.1 million for the KLM Group as whole. Of this figure, KLM transported 6.7 million passengers and Transavia 1.4 million. Cargo performed relatively well: cargo volume amounted to 229,550 tonnes, representing a 22.3% decline. Despite reduced (belly) capacity, flights to a range of destinations only carried cargo instead of passengers. Cargo was also carried in the cabins of passenger aircraft.
KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers said: "These financial results serve to highlight the huge impact of this unprecedented crisis for the airline industry and KLM in particular. A loss of €800 million for the first six months of the year is the worst financial setback ever experienced in KLM’s history.
In the months ahead, KLM will continue to expand its European and intercontinental network. This is an important step towards recovery, albeit both limited and cautious. The road to recovery will be long and fraught with uncertainty. Even though we have already done a lot, further far-reaching measures will, unfortunately, be unavoidable.
And, despite this unbelievably difficult period and equally challenging circumstances, KLM’s employees are still doing everything possible to serve our customers. I appreciate this greatly and have enormous respect for everyone’s efforts."
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