Marjan Rintel: A 30% Pay Rise in a Year of Austerity – A Critical Review

It was a turbulent year for KLM. In 2025, the airline had to dig deep to keep its head above water: jobs were cut, routes scrapped, and staff were told that severe belt-tightening was required. Yet, amid all this cost-cutting pressure, the salary of top executive Marjan Rintel rose by a staggering 30%. That left a bitter taste for many.

A review of the numbers: what did Marjan Rintel earn in 2025?

Let’s set out the facts. Where Rintel earned a cool million in 2024, her compensation in 2025 came in at around €1.3 million. A rise of €300,000, while the rest of the organisation was bleeding. It’s precisely this kind of contrast that sparked heated debates by the coffee machines and on the shop floor. The question on everyone’s lips: how do you explain that to the baggage handler who saw his overtime pay cut?

Any Marjan Rintel review of the past year would be incomplete without looking at the timing. KLM was grappling with high fuel costs, mounting debts and a simmering dispute with pilots over wage moderation. Yet the supervisory board saw no problem with the hefty increase. According to them, it was necessary to retain Rintel at the top and reward her for “strategic choices in turbulent times.”

How to use this controversy as a guide

For those who can’t see the wood for the trees: this Marjan Rintel guide helps you get a clear view of the situation. It’s not just about envy, but a broader principle. When the board rewards itself while the workforce makes sacrifices, a gap emerges that will really hurt months down the line.

• Look at the ratio: A 30% pay rise at a company that is cutting staff costs – that doesn’t fit with sound reward policy.
• Watch the communication: KLM never clearly explained why so much more was needed at this particular time. Transparency is key, and it was lacking.
• Don’t forget the context: In 2025, ground staff and cabin crew had already protested several times over workload. The top executive’s bonus added fuel to the fire.

How to use Marjan Rintel: a lesson for shareholders and employees alike

The question “how to use Marjan Rintel” may sound odd, but it’s actually very practical. For trade unions, she is an example of how not to do things: don’t reward top management with extras while the foundations are cracking. For shareholders, she is a warning: too much discontent on the shop floor leads to higher absenteeism and lower productivity. And for the ordinary traveller? They end up footing the bill through ticket prices or a cancelled weekend away.

Over the years, I’ve seen many leadership teams come and go, but signals like this – a hefty pay rise in a year of austerity – are what staff remember. It’s not just unfair; it’s also bad for company culture. Marjan Rintel now stands for a wider problem in aviation: top people continuing to help themselves while the rest of the ship is bailing out.

Will she still be in her seat next year? That depends not only on her results, but also on how well she can rebuild trust in the coming months. One thing is certain: the €1.3 million of 2025 will remain a stain on her record until KLM comes up with a convincing story. And that story is yet to be heard.