KLM expects its European capacity this summer to “almost match” its 2019 schedule, while flights to the US will return to pre-pandemic levels.
The Dutch carrier said it would fly to 167 destinations during the summer season from 27 March to 29 October, including 96 routes in Europe and 71 intercontinental destinations.
KLM said its schedule within Europe would rise by 10 per cent compared with summer 2021, with an increase in capacity to the UK, Germany, Poland and Portugal, as well as new destinations such as Belgrade, Dubrovnik and Palma de Mallorca.
The airline added that flights to Ukraine and Russia remain suspended and it was “keeping a close eye on developments in the region”, as the war in Ukraine continues into a second month.
KLM has seen demand for transatlantic flights “grow steadily” since the US reopened its border to European travellers in November 2021.
Flights from Amsterdam to Salt Lake City in Utah will return, while the Texas gateway of Austin is also being added this summer with three flights per week. This addition takes KLM’s total number of direct US destinations up to 12 – the highest in the airline’s history.
KLM is adding frequencies to Delhi and Mumbai in India, as Covid-19 restrictions ease. Although flights to China continue to be disrupted by strict Covid rules.
Meanwhile, the closure of Russian airspace to EU-based airlines has added an average of two hours to flights from Amsterdam to South Korea, Japan and China, with flights to the latter two destinations now making a stopover at Seoul.
