KLM Group records EUR 458 mn operating profit in Q3 of 2026
KLM
The airline reported an operating profit of EUR 526 million for the first nine months of 2026; revenue increased by more than 9% to EUR 10.9 billion, while capacity grew by 43%.
KLM Group reported an operating profit of EUR 458 million in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of EUR 106 million compared to the same period last year (EUR 352 million). The improvement was driven in part by higher ticket revenue and cost savings. However, despite this progress, profitability remains too low to fund the necessary investments in customers, employees, and operations. Additional structural measures are therefore needed.
KLM Group reported an operating profit of EUR 526 million for the first nine months of 2026, compared to EUR 328 million in the same period of 2025. Revenue increased by more than 9% to EUR 10.9 billion, while capacity grew by 43%.
Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM, said, “Our third-quarter results reflect the dedication of our colleagues and the cost savings we’ve achieved together. However, these efforts have not resolved our underlying structural challenges. Fuel prices continue to put pressure on our results, our cost base remains too high, and our operations are too vulnerable for us to continue investing and competing effectively. That’s why we’re announcing far-reaching changes at KLM.”
The group improved its adjusted operating profit compared to the same period last year, supported in part by its Back on Track improvement program, which has generated EUR 750 million to date, and higher ticket revenue. At the same time, financial performance remains under pressure. External challenges, including those related to the geopolitical situation, have contributed to this. However, to make KLM more resilient, lasting improvements to the company's cost structure and operational performance are needed.
Bas Brouns, CFO of KLM, said, “The third quarter is traditionally our strongest. It's the time of year when we generate most of our earnings. But even under highly favourable market conditions, with strong ticket revenue and the benefits of Back on Track, our profit margin remains too low. We need to increase it to more than 8% to secure a financially healthy future for KLM.”
KLM’s Passenger business recorded strong revenue growth and higher yields over the first nine months of the year. However, flight cancellations to and from the Middle East and higher fuel costs weighed on results. Meanwhile, Transavia remains under financial pressure due to intense competition on leisure routes, high fuel costs, and operational challenges.
