The Dutch aviation sector can only thrive if politicians, Schiphol airport and airlines work together, KLM chairman Pieter Elbers said in an interview in the weekend Telegraaf.

There needs to be a ‘delta plan’ for aviation, Elbers said, referring to the concerted effort to stop flooding in the Rhine river delta following the 1953 floods.

Increasing competition from the Middle East is threatening KLM and Schiphol’s position, he said. KLM itself will also have to take steps, including making both spending cuts and investments, he told the paper.

Elbers said the aviation sector generates 330,000 jobs in the Netherlands and has added value to the economy of €30bn.

Last week Qatar Airways said it wanted more slots at Schiphol airport but the government has refused to give the airline any more landing rights, citing unfair competition.