KLM and the Ministry of Defence are going to work more closely together. KLM pilots will have time to work as reservists at the air force on a voluntary basis. They can fly with, among other things, the F-35 fighter jet and train pilots.
Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM, and Gijs Tuinman, outgoing State Secretary of Defence, signed the agreement on Monday.
KLM makes working hours of five full-time jobs available to help Defence. These hours are divided among several pilots who want to help voluntarily as reservists. KLM and Defence also want to jointly train staff and work on technology and air transport.
In addition to the deployment of pilots, KLM and Defence also want to work together in other areas, such as maintenance and training. The plans will be further elaborated soon. It is not yet known when the first KLM pilots will fly in the F-35 fighter jets.
According to Tuinman, the collaboration is important for the safety of the Netherlands. “The world is becoming less and less safe. Working together with companies like KLM helps us to become stronger.”
Rintel thinks it’s good that pilots get this opportunity. “It makes the Dutch safer and ensures that KLM is a better place to work.”