Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij (SLM) has announced a package of cost-cutting measures to improve the company’s financial position. Salary increases will not be granted for the time being, non-essential business travel will be restricted and new investments will be critically assessed.
The measures are part of a sustainable recovery and transformation programme intended to transform the airline into a financially healthy and independently operating company.
This is evident from an internal management announcement dated 13 October 2026, seen by the Key News editorial team. The internal document was signed by SLM director Johan Sandie. The notice is addressed to all employees of Surinam Airways N.V. and its subsidiaries.
According to management, the company is continuing its efforts to recover sustainably and further develop into a financially healthy, efficient and independent national airline. In doing so, management aims to reduce its dependence on monthly government contributions and build a company that can structurally operate under its own strength.
No salary increases for the time being
One of the announced measures is the suspension of salary increases and other improvements to employment conditions during the recovery period. According to management, such increases will not be granted for the time being, except where required by law or where competent bodies decide otherwise.
The announcement does not state how long this measure will remain in force or when employees will again be eligible for salary increases.
Business travel and investments restricted
Other expenses are also being cut. Non-essential business travel, representation expenses and other non-essential expenditures will be restricted or completely discontinued with immediate effect.
In addition, new investments will be critically assessed. Investments will be postponed where possible, unless they are necessary for the safety, continuity or operational performance of the airline.
With these measures, management aims to deploy available financial resources more purposefully and reduce unnecessary costs.
Existing contracts to be reassessed
SLM management further announces that all existing contracts and obligations will undergo a thorough evaluation. This will examine opportunities to save costs, improve efficiency and achieve more favourable commercial terms.
At the same time, the airline intends to focus explicitly on increasing its revenues. This is to be achieved through the expansion of its various business units and the creation of new commercial opportunities.
Less dependent on the government
The measures fit within SLM’s objective of becoming less dependent in the long term on financial support from the government. In the internal announcement, management specifically refers to reducing monthly government contributions.
The document does not mention any amounts regarding the current scale of these contributions, the expected savings or the financial targets of the recovery programme.
Director Sandie concludes the announcement by thanking employees for their continued commitment and involvement.
It remains unclear for now how long the recovery and transformation programme will last and at what point management expects the measures to lead to a structural improvement in the financial situation.
