Under Marjan Rintel's leadership, the top priority will be to accelerate the transformation of KLM to structurally strengthen the company's operational and financial base. The structure and leadership of the organization will be adjusted to make KLM stronger and more future-proof. The KLM Board will focus even more on daily operations management, together with the management of the largest operational areas, to increase reliability and predictability for customers and employees.
Wiebe Draijer, Chairman of the KLM Supervisory Board, emphasizes: “KLM continues to face great challenges in the coming period. The Supervisory Board supports Marjan's initiative to achieve structural improvements in outcomes through significant changes in corporate governance. We are confident that under Marjan's leadership, together with other members of the management and all KLM employees, KLM can successfully implement this transformation to achieve the financial goals of the Air France-KLM Group.”
Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, further explains: “In the last four years, Marjan and her teams have worked tirelessly to restore KLM's capacities in the post- Covid era. The challenging work to restore operational and financial performance will continue in the coming years, and I am confident that with Marjan's determination and leadership strength, KLM will achieve its goals and create significant value for our group. Marjan has my full trust and support to tackle the significant challenges KLM faces.”
Marjan Rintel explains: “KLM operates in a challenging environment. To be successful, we need a solid operational and financial foundation. That's why we are intensifying and accelerating our transformation. We are taking structural measures to simplify our organization, improve our operations, increase our revenues, and reduce our costs. Together with my colleagues on the Board, I am becoming more directly involved in supervising operations to meet the expectations of our customers and achieve healthy returns.”
A New Chief Operating Officer Announcement
In light of these developments, the current Chief Operating Officer, Maarten Stienen, has announced that he will not seek a second term. He will step down after the KLM Shareholders' Meeting in May 2026. Maarten Stienen reflects: “This is the right time for me to look for the next step in my career. For the past 28 years, I have dedicated all my knowledge and experience to KLM. I am very grateful to my colleagues for the great cooperation. My blue heart will always beat for KLM and its employees.”
Marjan Rintel expresses gratitude: “Maarten is a versatile and very dedicated colleague who has given everything for KLM during his 28- year career. In 2020, he was appointed EVP Ground Services and in 2022 KLM's COO and Board Member. We are very grateful to Maarten for everything he has achieved during his long and successful career at KLM.”
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