|
KL to outsource AMS Lounge Dragons
Luchtvaartnieuws.nl reported a few weeks ago that AMS lounge staff are to be outsourced.
Accounting services are to be outsourced to Hungary and India. Johan |
Plus there will be a new catering provider.
|
Presumably thye'll maintain the service desks in lounges and keep them staffed with KLM employees (ticket agents), right?
|
Is it too much to hope for improved catering?
|
Originally Posted by SEA-Flyer
(Post 28084485)
Is it too much to hope for improved catering?
Originally Posted by KLflyerRalph
(Post 28084465)
Plus there will be a new catering provider.
G |
Originally Posted by AlicorporateUK
(Post 28084503)
Assuming it can't get any worse, then there's hope indeed...
G |
Mmm, new catering by FEBO maybe -((
|
If this is true, this is shocking. How can they do that at their single base/hub ?
I am talking of course about the lounge dragons staff outsourcing, not about the change in catering :D |
Originally Posted by ninjalad
(Post 28085152)
Mmm, new catering by FEBO maybe -((
I dont mind outsourcing of the lounge dragons too much - and I also do not think it is a shocking move. The only instance where an airline does have to provide gastronomical services on the ground is their lounges, so the lounge staff will always be a special category amongst other ground staff and a minority - makes sense to outsource them (and all the associated back-office functions) to a company whose prime business is closer to that. I would assume however that the service desk inside remains staffed by KLM ticket agents. |
Originally Posted by KLflyerRalph
(Post 28084465)
Plus there will be a new catering provider.
|
On the catering, I agree that on a disgust scale it is currently 9/10, where 10 would be food that does miss food hygiene standards set by European/Dutch law by a very wide margin. We are not there yet, but close.
However, whilst it is impossible to get more disgusting, the catering offer *can* get poorer. Right now they at least try to offer some food, including hot food. The result is a disaster, agreed, but what may happen afterwards is that the only thing offered is bags of "cocktail mix" pretzel/peanuts and some plastic-wrapped sandwiches that are being sold for EUR 12. What prevents KLM from making the Crown Room look like a Delta lounge in 2010? |
The Catering thing is probably to divert attention elsewhere. (Hope for better food). The outsourcing of some ground services is the real (and bad) news, how desperate can they be?
|
Don't forget that they are planning restaurant-like (paid) food items in the new lounge. I am not optimistic the standard offerings will improve at the same time.
|
This is KLM's statement:
The ICA lounge is being renovated and enlarged in order to guarantee travellers an even more comfortable stay with KLM at Schiphol. Food & Beverages is not one of KLM’s core businesses, which is why we are looking for a specialist partner to raise the standard of food and drink in the lounges. Our new partner will supply the catering in the new KLM Lounge, the first section of which is due to open mid 2018. The hospitality agents (around 32) will automatically become employees of the new partner. Their legal status will hereby be protected by law and their future prospects guaranteed. Although the Works Council rejected the proposal, KLM is convinced that it has to take this step to improve quality. Eelco van Asch, SVP Hub Operations Schiphol, explains that, “Our hospitality agents deliver good service, but the new service concept is better served by the focus of a specialised F&B partner. This is an important and logical step for the service we offer our customers and presents better prospects for the hospitality agents.” |
I think there is a misunderstanding here. The thread title is to "outsource AMS lounge dragons" while it seems what you are talking about bout is the outsourcing of the catering and service in the lounge, not outsourcing the lounge dragons who are normally the people at the entrance checking your credentials and taking care of the various questions/demands you may have.
When I said in an earlier post that I was finding that shocking, I was referring to the people at the entrance and customer service for which it seems obvious to me that they should be KL employees as we are talking about a lounge in their hub. Regarding outsourcing the catering staff, I think at the opposite it could be a good idea. As said by others, the catering cannot be worse IMO. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 7:12 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.