RDATE:09122008

On commencement of its forthcoming summer schedule, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will launch scheduled service to Calgary in Canada. Calgary represents the biggest market in Canada not yet served by KLM. The scheduled service will be operated using Airbus 330-200 equipment.

Calgary is located in the Province of Alberta, Canada's fourth largest economic region, which is undergoing significant growth. Calgary also lies at the heart of a strategic oil and energy market and international air traffic continues to increase in line with customer demand. Cargo traffic to and from Calgary will also experience a boost with this new destination. In addition to the business market, tourism is important to this destination. Tourists from around the globe visit the region to explore the scenic Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Peter Hartman KLM President & CEO says 'Under the present economic situation, it's even more important to choose destinations that meet a strong demand. By introducing Calgary to our network, we further enhance our product offer to our customers, who can now reach this important region in Canada on a direct flight from Amsterdam. This fits in with our ambition of offering our North American market the highest possible level of service'.

Flights between Europe and North America are operated together with Delta Air Lines' subsidiary Northwest Airlines, KLM's joint venture partner. The opening of the route to Calgary by KLM and Northwest Airlines is a new milestone at a time when Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM intend to join forces in a leading unique joint venture across the Atlantic. KLM passengers departing from the UK can take advantage of 15 regional departure airports: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, DurhamTeesValley, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds-Bradford, Liverpool, LondonCity, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastleand Norwich. KLM flies to over 650 destinations world-wide with its SkyTeam partners, via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

With 254 direct transatlantic flights a week, KLM and Northwest Airlines serve 24 joint destinations in the North American and European markets. Air France and KLM offer a total of 60 flights a week between the hubs CDG and AMS and 4 destinations in Canada. Calgary previously formed part of the KLM network from 1986 until 1996 and will now be the airlines' 61st intercontinental destination.

Flight information

- The first flight to Calgary (YYC) will depart on 3 May 2009 from Amsterdam

- The scheduled services will be operated five times a week on days 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, and arrive at a suitable time for business traffic