AIRLINE KLM yesterday marked a milestone 75 years of operations from Glasgow to Amsterdam.
On July 29, 1946, the first flight took off from Glasgow Airport and landed later that afternoon at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. It carried several Scottish national products on boardand a gift for the mayor of the capital.
Prior to the flight, the new route amassed plenty of attention from the local community, resulting in the route being fully booked for several months before the flight took off.
KLM responded to the popularity by expanding operations to twice a week, connecting the two cities on Mondays and Fridays.
Nowadays, the airline operates up to 18 weekly flights between the two airports. Throughout the pandemic, KLM has continued to operate the route to allow vital connectivity for essential travel.
Benedicte Duval, general manager of Air France KLM UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be commemorating 75 years of KLM operating out of Glasgow, showcasing our historic and ongoing commitment to our Scottish customers.
“In the 75 years since we began flying from the airport, the world has changed dramatically and despite the challenges faced over the past year-and-a-half, KLM has been able to maintain our operations from Glasgow, which highlights the importance of the connection between both cities.
“With the world now opening up slowly but surely, we are looking forward to working together with Glasgow Airport to ensure a strong mutual recovery for both parties.”
Ronald Leitch, operations director at Glasgow Airport, added: “The success of any route is a three-way relationship between airline, airport and community. Without the commitment of all three there is no way to sustain a long-term service successfully.
“Since the inaugural flight, KLM has helped connect Scotland to many European and international destinations and the legacy continues to this day. It’s therefore a real credit to all that we’ve reached this anniversary status with KLM in Glasgow.”
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