This summer, KLM’s Asia and Middle East network will be virtually identical to the one operated in summer 2019, although frequencies will be lower. The carrier will launch new service to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this summer and new service to Phuket, Thailand this winter.
On Wednesday (June 16, 2021), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced that their summer 2021 Middle East and Asia network will be virtually identical to summer 2019, albeit with fewer frequencies. The carrier will launch new service to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this summer, while new service to Phuket, Thailand will be added this winter. Since the onset of the pandemic, KLM’s strategy has been to maintain as many destinations as possible to ensure essential passenger and cargo connectivity. As travel restrictions are easing, this strategy is making it easier for the airline to scale up operations.
In Wednesday’s announcement, KLM’s President & CEO, Pieter Elbers, said,
“It is a positive sign that the number of destinations in the Middle and Far East has nearly returned to its previous level. As a result, customers can once again rely on KLM’s extensive network, as they were accustomed to doing. While this is a step in the right direction, we aren’t there yet. Vaccinations are the key to the recovery of the aviation sector. After that, an internationally-valid vaccination passport will play a crucial role in restoring our clients’ mobility.”
For summer 2021, KLM will offer service to 17 destinations in Asia, compared to 19 in 2019. Service to Xiamen, China has been temporarily closed due to the pandemic, though the destination is still served by KLM partner, Xiamen Airlines. KLM will continue to offer service to Hangzhou and Shanghai in China via Seoul, as well as once-weekly flights to Chengdu, with continuing service to Beijing via Seoul. Service to Denpasar, Indonesia will resume as soon as Bali reopens later this summer and flights to Bengalûru, India remains suspended.
KLM’s Middle East network this summer will include seven destinations, the same as during summer 2019. As previously mentioned, the airline is launching new service to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with twice weekly service this summer and tree weekly flights for winter 2021/22. Currently, service to Abu Dhabi has been suspended, but service remains on offer through KLM’s codeshare partner, Etihad Airways. KLM expects to resume service to Abu Dhabi for winter, increasing their Middle East offer to eight destinations.
Source: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
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