The Dutch arm of Air France-KLM plans to cut its workforce by 7,500 jobs, or 25 per cent, largely through outsourcing, a Dutch daily newspaper reported yesterday.

The measure is expected to be announced at the release of quarterly earnings by the French-Dutch carrier today, the Algemeen Dagblad said, citing the head of the trade union for airline personnel in the Netherlands, De Unie.

A company official could not immediately be reached for comment.

KLM hopes the measure will help it to cut €4.4 billion in outstanding debt by reducing costs, the report said.

Air France-KLM’s plans to grow its budget brand across Europe angered pilots at the French arm of the business, who went on strike for two weeks in September, costing the company some €500 million.

The airline is expected to post a 6 per cent decline in revenue and 15 per cent higher net profit of €166 million for the third quarter, according to analysts polled for Reuters.

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