New KLM connections for Summer 11
Published: 21 April 2011
Welsh passengers are now able to reach even more worldwide destinations from their local airport via Amsterdam as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines expands its network further from its hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Scheduled services to Xiamen International Airport in China commenced at the end of March 2011. Xiamen is the seventh destination available on the KLM network from Amsterdam to China and further strengthens the airline’s position in this fast growing Asian market. Dutch airline KLM now operates 43 weekly flights to various Chinese destinations including Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as the new Xiamen service. In addition, KLM’s SkyTeam partner China Southern Airlines offers connecting flights from Xiamen to and from a host of regional destinations across China.
For the Summer schedule 2011, KLM have also increased its European connections with flights to the Danish city of Aalborg. Flights to Aalborg from Cardiff will be available twice daily via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and this is the third destination served by KLM in Denmark alongside Billund and Copenhagen. Swift connection times from as little as 55 minutes at Schiphol allow passengers from Cardiff to connect to worldwide destinations from the comfort and convenience of a local departure airport.
Newly launched flights to Miami are expected to attract both business and leisure travellers alike as passengers flock to the Sunshine State of Florida. The four-weekly service is available with KLM and joint venture partner Delta.
Timings for the new connections are as follows:
(NOTE: CWL = Cardiff Airport, AMS = Amsterdam)
| To |
Freq |
Depart CWL |
Arrive AMS |
Depart AMS |
Arrive at Destination |
Connection in AMS |
| Aalborg, Denmark |
14 x weekly |
0905
1725 |
1120
1940 |
1215
2035 |
1335
2155 |
55 mins |
| Xiamen, China |
3 x weekly |
0905 |
1120 |
1650 |
1015*
*1 day later |
4h 30mins |
| Miami, USA |
4 x weekly |
0905 |
1120 |
1510 |
1910 |
3h 50mins |
Further connections to Havana, Cuba, Quito, Ecuador and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic will be introduced from Cardiff via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in October 2011, and the service to Buenos Aires will be resumed over the winter season 2011.
Spencer Birns, Cardiff Airport’s head of commercial operations and air services development commented: “The new connections are a welcome addition to the 900+ destinations already available on the KLM network. Passengers from the region travelling for business or leisure purposes should examine the possibilities of flying from their local airport via Amsterdam before booking a trip as it can often end up being the quicker, most convenient and cheaper option.
We’re aware of many travellers who frequently drive to London airports to catch flights, and often the flights to long haul destination aren’t direct even after making the long journey down the M4. The new connecting flights give travellers in South Wales the chance to explore different parts of the world from their local airport, and we hope the KLM network will continue to expand their offer with even more connecting services from Cardiff via Amsterdam.”
Henri Hourcade, General Manager AIR FRANCE KLM UK & Ireland added: “The new KLM international routes are great news for both business and leisure passengers who prefer the convenience and reliability of a full service carrier. KLM's new destinations give Welsh travellers even more chances to experience our extensive network and to try our enhanced onboard products, such as our new premium economy cabin, Economy Comfort
“I’m convinced that people in Wales will be happy to hear about these new additions and will help make these a success. KLM looks forward to welcoming passengers en route to Asia, Europe or the USA.”