This is in line with KLM’s strategy to first build the network where recovery is expected the fastest and to offer customers the widest possible choice of destinations. New are Mombasa, Orlando, Cancún, Bridgetown, Port of Spain and Phuket.
The Kenyan beach destination Mombasa will be served twice a week with a Boeing 787-9. This aircraft type is also used to Orlando in Florida (four times a week) and to the Mexican resort of Cancún (three times a week). With the Airbus A330, customers can fly to Bridgetown (Barbados, three times a week) and Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago, three times a week). The Thai island of Phuket will be offered four times a week with the Boeing 777-300.
Network strategy
During the COVID-19 pandemic, KLM maintained the destination network as much as possible in order to continue to transport cargo and to give passengers the opportunity to make the (necessary) journeys. Obviously with due observance of all rules and regulations, both of the Dutch government and local authorities. KLM continues to work closely with the Dutch government for effective and proportional measures tailored to the situation in the Netherlands and abroad.
This strategy helped KLM greatly during the COVID-19 crisis. As the situation and outlook is improving, network expansion is again being addressed, particularly in and to regions where recovery is expected to be fastest. These six destinations fit in with that.
The aim is to offer KLM customers the largest possible network. Network planning is flexible, so that KLM can respond quickly to market opportunities. With this expansion, the destination network is almost back to the level it was before COVID-19, but with less capacity, frequencies and devices. As soon as demand increases, we will operate more flights and / or KLM will deploy larger aircraft.
With this, KLM is taking the next and important step in rebuilding the network for the benefit of our customers. During the summer, 99 European destinations will be served and with this step, KLM’s intercontinental destination network will also be significant again in the winter.
KLM CEO Pieter Elbers
Mombasa is combined with Nairobi on the return journey to Amsterdam. This also applies to Orlando and Miami. Phuket is offered both from and to Amsterdam via Kuala Lumpur. Bridgetown and Port of Spain are combined. Cancún is a non-stop connection.
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