Graduation Internship Operations Research

Type of vacancy: Internship
City: Amstelveen
Hours per week: 40
Education: Wo
Apply before: 09/30/2026

Introduction

During this graduation internship, you will investigate how KLM can deploy its aircraft even more effectively by introducing greater flexibility into departure and arrival times. You will develop and test optimization models and/or heuristics for large-scale planning involving thousands of flights and more than 100 aircraft. In doing so, you will contribute to efficient, reliable and future-proof flight operations.

What are you going to do?

During your graduation internship, you will explore a challenging aviation optimization problem: which aircraft type should KLM assign to each flight, and what happens when departure and arrival times become more flexible?

You will investigate how the current fleet assignment model can be extended to allow flights to shift within predefined time limits. You will:

• explore existing model modifications and alternative formulations;
• develop and test optimization models and/or heuristics;
• examine the trade-off between solution quality, feasibility and computation time;
• work on realistic, large-scale planning problems involving thousands of flights, maintenance activities and more than 100 aircraft;
• lay the foundation for future integrated commercial and operational decision-making.

Your research can directly contribute to more efficient fleet utilization and a more robust and operationally feasible flight schedule.

Where do you land?

You will join Network Planning, part of KLM’s Integral Planning & Control (IP&C) domain. This department works on complex challenges related to network planning and the efficient deployment of aircraft.

KLM uses SOLAR, an in-house developed optimizer that assigns aircraft subtypes to flights. Built using Python and C++, the optimizer handles large and realistic planning problems. During your graduation internship, you will work at the intersection of data science, Operations Research, software development and airline planning.

You will have the freedom to conduct your research independently while collaborating closely with experts in the field. This will allow you to expand your knowledge of optimization models and gain insight into the operational and commercial considerations behind a global airline network.

Your profile

You are a curious and analytically strong student who enjoys solving complex puzzles. You are enthusiastic about translating theory into practical solutions that can be applied on a large scale.

In addition:

• you are pursuing a relevant university degree, for example in Operations Research, Econometrics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science or a related field;
• you have knowledge of linear programming and optimization methods;
• you have programming experience, preferably in Python and/or C++;
• you are interested in heuristics and solving large-scale planning problems;
• you can work independently while actively seeking collaboration;
• you communicate easily and are not afraid to ask questions;
• you are results-oriented, eager to learn and willing to explore new techniques;
• you have an affinity with aviation, planning and complex decision-making.

Do you not yet meet every requirement, but are you enthusiastic and eager to learn? We warmly encourage you to apply.

We offer

KLM offers you a highly instructive experience in a dynamic organisation in which you will play an important role. You can develop yourself considerably during this internship, both personally and professionally. In addition, this internship offers you the opportunity to build up your network, as you will be working with many different KLM employees!

Another advantage of a internship at KLM is the KLM Taxibaan association run by and for interns. This association expands your network and organises fun events and interesting excursions within the KLM organisation. There is also a internship allowance.

Ready for your next destination?

Then don't wait any longer and apply for this function before the final boarding call on 09/30/2026! You don't need to write a cover letter; during your application we will ask you some specific questions. You will be notified within two weeks of the closing date of the vacancy.
Did you know that according to research, women are less likely to apply than men when they don't meet all the job requirements? What a shame. Because, in our view, 'the perfect candidate' is a myth. So, if you have the drive to grow in aspects of this role, we look forward to your application.

Questions?

If you would like to know more about the internship position, please contact the hiring manager, or e-mail the recruiter for questions about the application process. In both cases, don't forget to mention the vacancy number: #22784. At KLM, we believe in the power of diversity. Would you like to read more about this? Please see our statement.

Hiring manager

Matthijs Kieskamp: MATTHIJS.KIESKAMP@KLM.COM

Recruiter

Roshanne Versluis: ROSHANNE.VERSLUIS@KLM.COM

Details from this vacancy are not to be used for marketing purposes.