KLM has announced that it will operate flights to all the American gateaways it served before the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the load capacity of aircraft and the number of flight frequencies are still far from 2019 levels.
According to a press release, KLM forecasts an increase in travel demand due to the reduction of travel restrictions and the percentage that is constantly increasing the vaccination rate globally, but especially in the US. Therefore, the airline is preparing for an increase in air traffic to destinations on the American continent.
The carrier will operate flights to 16 US destinations in the summer season of 2021, compared to the 17 US destinations that the airline served in the summer of 2019. However, there will also be a direct flight to the 17th. destination, Salt Lake City, which will take off from Amsterdam as part of KLM's partnership with Delta Air Lines.
KLM will resume flights to all US destinations operated before the pandemic.
The Dutch flag carrier intends to add two additional routes to the summer season's operational program, to Las Vegas and Minneapolis. However, the decision to go further with these new routes is based on the further evolution of travel restrictions between Europe and the United States.
"It is auspicious that our network of destinations in North America has practically returned to its original level, in terms of the number of gateaways served.", Said KLM President and CEO Pieter Elbers. "North America is an important market for KLM, and this year we are commemorating 75 years of flights to New York. We hope that the travel restrictions imposed on the United States, Canada and Mexico will be reduced soon, giving our passengers more opportunities to travel back to North America. An internationally valid vaccination passport would be very useful in this regard. "
In addition, the carrier intends to add two new US destinations to intercontinental network in the winter program. It is about the Mexican resort of Cancun and Orlando, in the American state of Florida, popular holiday destinations among lovers of sun and heat.