The Dutch flag carrier KLM has announced it will add more flights to China beginning on March 26th. Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions from the Chinese government, many airlines have announced an increase in the capacity and routes offered to this country.

More flights from Amsterdam to China

Once the IATA summer schedule begins on March 26th, KLM plans to increase the number of flights to China, the airline announced this week in a statement. KLM will fly non-stop from Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport (AMS) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) three times a week. Departures to Hong Kong will be on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

The Dutch carrier will also launch flights to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). It will start with six weekly flights before moving to daily services in May.

The Chinese market is crucial in KLM’s network due to its demand from business travelers. Nonetheless, the planned expansion is subject to approval by Chinese authorities.

According to data from Cirium, KLM is planning to resume these routes employing its Boeing 777-200 and -300ER fleets in the services to Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai, and the Boeing 787-9 in the services to Hong Kong as well. By May, the Dutch carrier will offer 17 weekly flights and over 5,400 seats available for its customers.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying.

Looking at KLM’s long-haul fleet

KLM has a fleet of 170 aircraft, according to data from ch-aviation. This includes 63 long-haul aircraft, of which 11 are Airbus-made planes (six A330-200s and five A330-300s), and the rest are Boeing-made.

KLM operates a fleet of 15 Boeing 777-200(ER)s, 16 777-300(ER)s, eight 787 Dreamliner 10s, and 13 787 Dreamliner 9s. The airline will mostly operate the Boeing 777-200 on its flights to China (11 out of the 17 flights, per Cirium).

The Boeing 777-200ER of KLM offers 316 seats in a three-class configuration. KLM has 34 flat-seat World Business seats on these planes, as well as 40 Economy Comfort and 242 Economy standard seats.

KLM’s Boeing 777-300ER will be mostly used on flights to Shanghai, according to Cirium. This aircraft has the capacity to carry 408 passengers in a three-class configuration. It has 34 World Business seats, 40 Economy Comfort, and 334 Economy.

Finally, KLM’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner 9 fleet will only be employed in flights to Hong Kong. The widebody jet has the capacity to carry 294 passengers, 30 in World Business, 48 in Economy Comfort, and 216 in Economy.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying.

Returning to China

In the last few weeks, plenty of airlines have announced their return to China after long pauses due to the country’s stringent COVID-19 travel restrictions. Earlier this month, SWISS announced its intention to resume its passenger services between Zurich International Airport (ZRH) and Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) starting on March 3. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also announced their return to mainland China after a three-year absence. British will relaunch its daily route from London Heathrow to Shanghai Pudong on April 23 and to Beijing Daxing International on June 3 (four flights per week). Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic will start flying daily to Shanghai Pudong on May 1.

Are you excited about KLM resuming its flights to China? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: ch-aviation, Cirium.