KLM and Delta to offer nonstop service to YYC

December 09, 2008   |  
 

KLM and Delta will offer nonstop service between Calgary and Amsterdam

CALGARY, 9 December 2008 – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced they will offer nonstop service between Calgary* International Airport and Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport beginning May 2009. The flight, which will be operated by KLM, will connect travelers to one of the world's most vibrant business and leisure destinations and offer connections to more than 65 destinations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

"We are very pleased to welcome this new KLM service to Calgary and western Canada," said Garth Atkinson, President and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. "These new KLM flights to Calgary are reflective of the strength of the Calgary catchment area in the global passenger network."

“Under the present economic situation, it's even more important to choose destinations that meet a strong demand. By introducing Calgary to our network, we further enhance our product offer to our customers, who can now reach this important region in Canada on a direct flight from Amsterdam. This fits in with our ambition of offering our North American market the highest possible level of service,” said KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman.

KLM's flights between Europe and North America are operated with Delta Air Lines' subsidiary Northwest Airlines, KLM's current joint venture partner. The opening of the route to Calgary is a new milestone at a time when Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM intend to join forces in a leading unique joint venture across the Atlantic.

“This is another example of the power of alliances in expanding airlines' networks which, ultimately, result in seamless travel for passengers across continents,” said Glen Hauenstein, Delta's executive vice president-Network and Revenue Management. “This flight will expand the travel options for passengers in Western Canada, who now will be able to travel seamlessly across the Delta, KLM and Air France networks worldwide.”

KLM and Northwest Airlines serve 24 destinations in the joint North American and European markets, with 254 flights a week. Air France and KLM offer a total of 60 flights a week between the hubs CDG and AMS and 4 destinations in Canada. Calgary previously formed part of the KLM network from 1986 until 1996 and will now be the airlines' 61st intercontinental destination.

Passengers will travel on an Airbus 330-200, offering 30 seats in World Business Class and 221 seats in Economy Class
 
The flight between Calgary and Amsterdam will operate as follows:

 

Flight # Departs Arrives Starts  Frequency
KL 0678 Calgary at 6:05 p.m.

Amsterdam at 10:55a.m. the next day.

Mar 3, 2009 Five times weekly
KL 0677 Amsterdam at 3:20 p.m. Calgary at 4:20 p.m. May 3, 2009 Five times weekly
* Subject to government approval.
 
About KLM
 
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded in 1919, making it the world's oldest airline operating under its original name. In 2004, Air France and KLM merged to form AIR FRANCE KLM. The merger produced the strongest European airline group based on two powerful brand names and hubs —Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle. The two airlines collaborate on three core activities while maintaining their own identities — passenger transport, cargo, transport, and aircraft maintenance.

In the Netherlands, KLM comprises the core of the KLM Group which further includes KLM cityhopper and transavia.com. KLM serves 137 destinations using a modern fleet of 114 aircraft and employs over 33,000 people around the world. KLM offers reliable operations and customer-oriented products resulting from its policy of enthusiasm and sustainable innovation. KLM is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance offering a network of 905 destinations in more than 169 nations on six continents. 

 
About Delta
 
Delta Air Lines is the world's largest airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its Northwest subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to more than 376 destinations worldwide in 66 countries and serves more than 170 million passengers each year. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta and its 75,000 worldwide employees are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at Delta's website