KLM will continue to fly longer with old Cityhopper aircraft due to long-term problems with the new Embraer 195 fleet. Some of these new aircraft cannot be deployed due to engine defects and have been parked at Schiphol-East for months. A solution to the engine problems does not seem to be in sight any time soon, which means that KLM is also forced to cancel flights during the summer holidays.
The Embraer 195-E2 is currently the newest type of aircraft in the KLM fleet. The first device was two years ago was put into service and was intended as a replacement for KLM Cityhopper’s now obsolete Embraer 190s.
The company has decided to use some of the old E190s longer, as long as the problems with the new E2s have not been solved by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and the American engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney. KLM also already leases aircraft from German Airways to make up for the fleet shortage.
Not necessarily unlucky passengers
Nevertheless, KLM expects to have to intervene in the summer timetable. According to KLM, travelers are informed months in advance and rebooked to other flights. Probably no customers will be duped like with Transaviawhich is completely canceling holiday flights due to a shortage of aircraft.
It is not yet known which Cityhopper flights will eventually be removed from the timetable. KLM Cityhopper mainly transports passengers who transfer at Schiphol to an intercontinental flight and much less to holiday destinations.
At the beginning of 2021, the first Embraer 195-E2 landed at Schiphol. NH’s airline program Airtime was at the arrival.