Air France/KLM is to commence operations from Northern Ireland to Amsterdam.
George Best Belfast City Airport is the only airport in the UK or Ireland included in expansion plans announced by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which will commence a daily service to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in May 2015, providing greater access to global destinations through KLM’s extensive network.
Connectivity from Northern Ireland to South America, the Middle East and the Far East will be further strengthened through KLM’s membership of the SkyTeam Alliance, along with international airlines such as Air France, Alitalia, China Southern Airlines, Aeroflot, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Czech Airlines, and Saudia.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said:
“Today’s announcement by KLM is really good news for tourism, as we kick off our 2015 promotional drive. Not only will it help grow visitor numbers from the Netherlands, but this new flight will offer connectivity from other important tourism markets, including North America, Asia and the Middle East.
“We look forward to co-operating with KLM to maximise the promotion of this new service from Amsterdam to Belfast. As an island, the importance of convenient, direct, non-stop flights cannot be overstated – they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism.
“Tourism Ireland is committed to working with KLM, Belfast City Airport and other tourism partners, through co-operative marketing, to drive demand for this new flight, as well working with other carriers and partners to promote and help maintain vital routes and services to Northern Ireland.”
