The Dutch government, a shareholder in the Air France-KLM Group, is scrutinising an exorbitant pay rise for KLM’s top boss — with Finance Minister Heinen calling the increase “truly inappropriate.”
The airline’s annual report disclosed that CEO Marjan Rintel received nearly €1.6 million in 2025, which is roughly 30% more than what she earned the previous year. (The Finance Minister of the Netherlands, for comparison, earned roughly €206,000 in 2025.)
While Rintel’s base salary stands at €600,000, the mystery income comes from variable bonuses and rather profitable company shares, reports NOS.
Bad management
Heinen didn’t hold back when speaking to RTL Nieuws: “I find this truly inappropriate.”
In his words, “If you ask a sacrifice of your staff, you have to bear it together. The top management is sending the wrong signal with this.”
To make matters worse, while the CEO’s paycheck was gathering bonuses, KLM ground staff spent much of 2025 fighting a wage freeze. The staff had no scope for bonuses, increments, or cost-of-living adjustments to their salary.
The result? Employees repeatedly announced strikes, hundreds of flights were cancelled, and judges were summoned to block staff walkouts.
KLM: “It was a good year!”
KLM was quick to defend their CEO’s pay package.
A spokesperson pointed out that Rintel’s pay is “variable,” meaning it depends on how well she meets set goals for both KLM and Air France-KLM.
They also added that, since the parent company had a “very good” 2025, the rise in its share price increased the stock-based part of her earnings.
Needless to say, that’s a bold claim for an airline that was recently ranked among the worst in Europe. Turns out, they not only cheap out on in-flight snacks but also on employee salaries.
@mynameisvinnyyyy No sandwich, but a poke bowl? #klm #travel #meal #service ♬ original sound – Mynameisvinnyyy
Now, a seven-figure executive paycheck awkwardly hangs in the balance until the shareholders’ meeting on April 23, giving the Dutch state a formal voice in Rintel’s earnings.
Do you think a 30% pay rise for a CEO is justified when staff have been fighting for better wages? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
The current CEO is destroying KLM reputation built for decades. And this is being endorsed by someone at the very top.