KLM cancels long-haul flights after Boeing 787 maintenance issues ground 7 jets
By Goda Labanauskaite
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has canceled five international flights during the first weekend of May 2025 due to improper maintenance of seven Boeing 787 aircraft.
On May 3, 2025, over 650 passengers were stuck at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) after KLM took the aircraft out of service. The airline announced the cancellation of three long-haul flights to Mexico City (MEX), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), and Portland (PDX).
Passengers traveling to the US were able to leave the same day but faced delays of three to five hours. The flight to Mexico, carrying 250 people, was delayed by a full day.
KLM canceled two international flights the following day, May 4, 2025, for urgent maintenance on some Boeing 787 aircraft, the Dutch press agency Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau (ANP) reported.
Flights to Shanghai and Los Angeles were affected. About 200 passengers from each flight have been rebooked on other services.
These cancellations follow the discovery of incorrect maintenance procedures on parts of seven Boeing 787s.
“Although there are no safety risks, the seven aircraft are being maintained at an accelerated pace and will remain on the ground in the meantime,” KLM spokesperson told local news outlet Hart van Nederland.
The airline said it will carry out maintenance on the affected 787s according to the right guidelines as soon as possible.
