"Peter R." wrote in message
...
What is interesting in the case of the KLM aircraft is that the pilot
first
stated PAN-PAN, then continued by saying "Low fuel emergency."

Wouldn't the inclusion of the word "emergency" be the same as a pilot
stating "I am declaring an emergency" and therefore be handled by ATC as
an
emergency?

Saying "pan-pan" already declares an emergency. There are two levels of
emergency--urgency (pan-pan) and distress (mayday). (AIM 6-1-2a)