Aviation News – July 7, 2025 – In a groundbreaking agreement, the Dutch Ministry of Defence and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have signed a deal allowing commercial airline pilots—some of whom currently fly holidaymakers to sunny destinations—to also operate military aircraft such as the F-35.
The collaboration applies specifically to pilots who previously served in the military and have experience flying fighter jets. These pilots, now working for KLM, will be able to combine their civilian job with a reserve role in the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
Initially, KLM will allocate the equivalent of five full-time positions, which may be divided among multiple pilots. These pilots will be rostered off accordingly and receive sufficient rest time to stay fully trained and operational for military flying duties.
Currently, 11 former F-35 pilots are working for KLM. All of them will be asked whether they are interested in returning to military service part-time. Additional assessments will be conducted to ensure they meet all requirements to be considered “current” in military aviation terms.
According to KLM CEO Marjan Rintel, the exact number of flying hours to be dedicated to the military is still being determined. She emphasized that the deal is designed to minimize scheduling conflicts at the airline: “As long as pilots remain current, there is virtually no impact on our rosters.”
Broader Collaboration and Joint Training
The agreement also paves the way for further collaboration, including the possible dual-use of Embraer aircraft—flown by both KLM and the Dutch Air Force. Deputy Defence Secretary Gijs Tuinman described the initiative as “dual employment,” with pilots working partly for KLM and partly for the military.
The scope extends beyond pilots. In the future, technicians may work on both commercial aircraft and military jets, such as Boeings and F-35s. KLM and the military hope this approach will also assist with recruitment, offering broader and more appealing career paths. “Together we can bring in new talent and deploy them where needed,” said Rintel. “It’s a win-win.”
KLM pilots will also support the training of new military aviators, working in simulators or mentoring young F-35 pilots.
Tuinman added that he would welcome the idea of military pilots spending a few years at KLM and later returning to the air force, further reinforcing the dual-track career model.
From Conflict to Cooperation
This deal comes after earlier tensions between the two organizations. In early 2025, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that Tuinman had accused KLM of “poaching” military pilots, particularly those operating the F-35, F-16, and Apache helicopters, in light of a pilot shortage and better pay at the airline.
These concerns have now been resolved following a meeting between Tuinman and Rintel. At the official announcement, held in a KLM hangar at Schiphol, both leaders emphasized cooperation over competition. “We’ve danced around each other for years,” Tuinman said. “Some of your employees were once mine.”
Rintel called it the start of an “intensive and long-term partnership.”
Growing the Military Reserve
The Dutch Ministry of Defence aims to expand its workforce to 100,000 by 2030. One major strategy is to grow the number of reservists, civilians who receive military training and serve part-time.
Currently, the Netherlands has about 8,000 reservists, a number projected to rise to 20,000 by 2030. These part-time soldiers complete a specially designed short military training program and typically serve for several weeks each year alongside their regular jobs.
