Teesside Airport to host greater volume of KLM connection flights

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced its intentions to introduce earlier flights from Teesside to Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.

The airline, which has flown out of Teesside for more than 23 years, resumed the route in June following the relaxation of rules that had prevented international travel in response to the Coivd-19 pandemic, with a four-times weekly flight (Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday) at 17:20.

With the further easing of restrictions, KLM typically serves more than 100 destinations internationally, from Norway’s Ålesund to Switzerland’s Zürich. The airline has now committed to bringing the flight time from Teesside to Schiphol forward to 12:25 four times a week. From January, flights will be offered twice-daily flights departing Teesside at 06:05 and 10:40.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This route is already a firm favourite for people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool travelling to Amsterdam, whether to visit the city or take advantage of its invaluable connectivity across the world.

“This initial time change will only make the route more attractive as the world opens up once again, making it more convenient for holidaymakers and showing how Teesside Airport is backing businesses. The next move, in January, will be even better for passengers, giving them even more options to fly globally from their local airport.

“KLM has been a firm supporter of our airport for years now and we’re continuing to work with it to secure even more services. But we can only do that if passengers are as enthusiastic about these flights as they were before the pandemic hit, so let’s all get on board this much improved flying time.”