KLM and Belfast City Airport Celebrate 10-Year Partnership Amid Surging Passenger Demand

L-R: Coco Janssen, Cabin Crew; Harry de Groot, Director Ground Services & Cargo Operations, KLM Cityhopper; Katy Best, Chief Commercial Officer, Belfast City Airport; Paul van der Zee, Captain; Jerome Salemi, General Manager for Air France-KLM in the UK & Ireland; Chantal Horst, Cabin Crew

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Belfast City Airport are celebrating a significant milestone—ten consecutive years of partnership connecting Northern Ireland to Amsterdam and beyond.

Marking a decade of continuous service, the route has proven pivotal in boosting international connectivity and economic growth for the region.

Since the relaunch of the Belfast to Amsterdam route in 2015, the service has become an essential travel corridor for both business and leisure passengers.

With the introduction of a second daily flight in October 2024, demand has seen a remarkable uptick.

The number of passengers flying from Belfast City Airport to Europe with KLM has doubled, while long haul bookings have experienced a year-on-year increase of 159%.

Notably, bookings to China have witnessed a staggering 751% surge, making it the top-performing long haul destination. Other long haul destinations seeing significant demand include the United States and South Africa.

In Europe, aside from the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden have emerged as key countries for both outbound and inbound travel.

Matthew Hall, Chief Executive at Belfast City Airport, commented on the milestone:

“Since doubling the capacity on our service to Amsterdam in 2024, the growth in international travel through Belfast City Airport is an extraordinary reflection of wider global travel trends.

“It underscores a strong resurgence in international connectivity and demand, showcasing the importance of keeping Northern Ireland connected to the rest of the world, and we are proud to play a key role in making this global travel easier, faster, and more accessible for our community.

“KLM is a hugely valued partner, and we are pleased to celebrate this important milestone with them. As we look ahead, we are excited to continue working with KLM to support the region’s economic growth and global connectivity.”

The additional daily frequency has significantly enhanced flexibility for passengers, making global travel more accessible through KLM’s extensive network of over 160 worldwide destinations via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Jerome Salemi, General Manager of Air France-KLM in the UK & Ireland, said:

“Celebrating 10 consecutive years of KLM flying from Belfast City Airport is a testament to our unwavering commitment to Northern Ireland. With the introduction of the second daily flight last year, we are proud to be offering even more options for our passengers to connect to over 160 worldwide destinations via our hub in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

“We look forward to continuing our journey and serving the Belfast community and the rest of Northern Ireland for many more years to come.”

As Northern Ireland continues to establish itself as a hub for innovation, tourism, and international commerce, strong and reliable air connectivity will remain a cornerstone of its progress.

The sustained collaboration between Belfast City Airport and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines underscores the critical role strategic aviation partnerships play in driving regional success on a global stage.

For further details, visit belfastcityairport.com or klm.co.uk.