Indian Airlines Challenge KLM Over European Slot Access

Slot Dispute Escalates Between India and Netherlands

Indian carriers IndiGo and Air India have formally requested government intervention against KLM and European airports. The conflict centers on slot allocation disparities at Amsterdam Schiphol and London Heathrow.

Imbalanced Flight Operations

KLM operates 21 weekly flights to India while Indian carriers receive only 10 weekly slots at Schiphol. This imbalance persists despite the open-skies agreement between the nations. IndiGo's planned Amsterdam service remains in limbo due to unapproved winter slots.

Schiphol Capacity Reduction

The dispute intensifies as the Dutch government prepares to reduce Schiphol's annual flights from 500,000 to 478,000 starting November 2025. BARIN president Marnix Fruitema warned: "This navel-gazing has disastrous consequences for both Dutch and foreign airlines."

Heathrow Constraints

Similar issues plague London Heathrow where Indian carriers cannot utilize their expanded 70 weekly flight rights. Air India currently operates 31 weekly Heathrow flights, with IndiGo planning October service launches.

Historical Precedent

Slot disputes have previously caused diplomatic tensions. In 2023, Air India required government negotiations for Schiphol access. The JetBlue slot controversy previously halted Dutch flight reduction plans.