A new route from Exeter Airport to Amsterdam is launching in March next year. The KLM flights to Schiphol will be the Dutch airline’s first from the West Country transport hub.
According to airport bosses, it is the first time Exeter Airport has served Amsterdam in nearly five years and will link travellers will KLM’s network of worldwide destinations via the Dutch city.
The flight time will be around 90 minutes, with departures from Amsterdam to Exeter at 4.15pm local time, and from Exeter to Amsterdam at 5.20pm local time, seven days a week.
Exeter Airport managing director Stephen Wiltshire said: “This is a tremendous boost for regional connectivity, and we are hugely excited by the opportunities KLM will create for passengers across the South West. Flights will operate every day of the week, providing a fantastic gateway for both business and leisure travellers from their local airport.”
Jerome Salemi, general manager for UK & Ireland at Air-France-KLM, said: “We are very excited to launch Exeter as KLM’s 18th departure point from the UK to Amsterdam and beyond.
“We hope our new services will contribute towards the economic, touristic and cultural development of the region and the local community. We look forward to working with Exeter Airport on making this route a success.”
Services will be operated by KLM Cityhopper from March 30, using an 88-seat Embraer 175 regional jet aircraft.
Paul Coles, chief executive of the South West Business Council, said the news was “fantastic” for Exeter Airport and the region.
He said: “KLM is a word-class global carrier and if there is one route the business community wanted to see from Exeter, Amsterdam is it. Well done to Stephen and the team at Exeter Airport, and we extend a warm Westcountry welcome to KLM.”
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