UPDATE 1-Schiphol hit by delays, cancellations as KLM ground crews strike

More than 40 flights were delayed and a dozen cancelled at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport on Wednesday, as KLM ground crews went on strike.

A spokesman for KLM, a subsidiary of Air France-KLM, said the airline had canceled 6 flights as a result of the strike. Other delays and cancellations were due to poor weather and repairs, making landing strips unavailable. A spokeswoman for Schiphol said that the cancellations were among KLM and allied "Skypartners" airlines.

The airport's website showed most cancellations were for outgoing KLM flights. Most incoming flights of all airlines were delayed by about an hour, with disruptions set to continue until mid-afternoon. "We have tried to allow as many flights as possible to go ahead, despite the strike, for passengers willing to travel with hand baggage only," KLM spokesman Koen van Zijl said.

The strike, the second of its kind this week, was scheduled to last through the morning rush hour, from 0530 until 0800 GMT. KLM plans talks later this week after unions seeking an 8% pay increase over 2 years rejected a proposal by the Dutch airline for a 6-7% raise over three years.

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