KLM has reached a provisional collective labour agreement (CLA) for ground staff represented by the NVLT, VKP, and De Unie unions, covering more than half of the airline’s organised ground workforce. The carrier says the deal includes wage increases, a one-off payment, enhanced profit-sharing, and improved early retirement conditions. Under the agreement, all ground staff will receive a 1% unconditional pay rise from 1 October, followed by a further 1.25% increase from 1 July. A one-time payment of €750 ($879) will also be made to full time employees. The deal introduces permanent status for the 80-90-100 scheme, which allows older employees to work 80% of their hours for 90% of their salary while maintaining full pension accrual. Shift workers will benefit from an extended duration under this arrangement. KLM’s profit-sharing scheme will be harmonised across all employee groups, and technicians will receive specific addendum provisions. "We are very pleased to have reached this negotiated agreement with NVLT, VKP, and De Unie," says Miriam Kartman, KLM’s human resources director, who urges other unions representing ground staff to sign up. "Within KLM’s current financial reality, we have come together to make strong arrangements regarding remuneration, career development, and flexibility." The agreement, which runs until 31 December 2026, will now be presented to union members for approval.

Indian budget carrier SpiceJet has blamed geopolitical tensions and airspace restrictions for an 87% fall in operating earnings during the quarter ended June. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and rent collapsed to Rs840 million ($9.53 million) from Rs6.5 billion in the previous corresponding quarter. Revenue for the quarter ended June dropped 42.5% to Rs11.9 billion, while expenses fell 25.5% to Rs19.2 billion. Load factor fell 5.1 percentage points to 85.9% as total RASK fell 19.6% and ASKs plummeted 28.4%. As a result, the airline swung to a net loss of Rs2.38 billion for the quarter, compared with a Rs1.5 billion net profit in the same period a year earlier. "This quarter’s results reflect the extraordinary challenges faced by the aviation industry, including geopolitical turbulence, restricted air routes and supply chain disruptions," states SpiceJet managing director Ajay Singh. "We are taking decisive steps to enhance fleet reliability, reduce costs and expand our network." SpiceJet adds that it was hit by costs associated with grounding aircraft and returning them to service. Tensions between India and neighboring Pakistan led to airspace closures for carriers on each side in April and May that remain ongoing. Looking ahead, SpiceJet says it finalized terms with Carlyle Aviation Management to restructure all lease obligations, worth $121 million, during the quarter. Fleets data shows that Carlyle leases two Boeing 737-700s, eight -800s and three -900ERs to the carrier, with the latter jets listed as stored. Overall, it has 21 aircraft in service – comprised of 15 737s and six De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s – and 30 more in storage. SpiceJet adds that it secured agreements to wet-lease 10 Boeing 737s from October and notes that “discussions are underway for additional inductions of narrowbody and widebody aircraft during winter”.

A WestJet Boeing 737-800 suffered a hard landing at Princess Juliana International airport in Sint Maarten on 7 September that damaged its right wing. The Canadian carrier says in a statement that the aircraft was operating flight WS2276 from Toronto when it experienced the hard landing at 13:31 local time. "Emergency services responded immediately, deploying foam as a precaution. The aircraft’s slides were activated, and all guests and crew safely evacuated and were transported to the terminal. All guests are accounted for and there are no reported injuries," it states. WestJet adds that it is "awaiting confirmation on the exact nature of the incident", however livestreamed footage of the incident appears to show the right landing gear collapsing soon after the aircraft touched down, causing the right engine pod to drag along the runway as it completed its rollout. The aircraft was immobilised on the runway and attended to by firefighters who sprayed the right wing with foam. "There was no fire; however, contact with the runway caused damage to the aircraft's right wing," Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company says in a separate statement. The airport will remain closed until midday on 8 September, it says in a statement issued later on the day. Flight tracking data shows that the aircraft involved bears registration C-GWSR, and fleets data shows this corresponds to MSN 35288 which is a 2009-build aircraft owned by BBAM. Originally ordered by ILFC, it has been operated since new by WestJet and was acquired by BBAM in January 2024.