KLM resumes flights to Sri Lanka after nearly 20 years

Tue, Nov 8, 2016, 07:55 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 08, Colombo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the flag carrier of the Netherlands, resumed its service to Colombo on 01st November 2016 after nearly 20 years.
The first flight operated by all-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner was welcomed with a ceremonial Water Cannon salute at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport.On board were KLM VIPs and The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka & Maldives Mrs. Joanne Doornewaard. The General Manager of Air France -KLM Indian Subcontinent greeted the delegation with vibrant orange scarves, officially welcoming them and other passengers to Colombo.

Throughout the winter season, KLM will operate a twice-weekly service on the route operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner, departing from Colombo on Tuesdays and Saturdays and returning from Schiphol on Mondays and Fridays.

“With the opening of the new route, KLM has opened a gateway of worldwide opportunities to Europe and North America via Amsterdam Schiphol airport which is rated as one of the World’s most convenient transit airport. Customers will be able to connect to KLM’s global network of more than 140 destinations,” the airline said.
KLM suspended service to the Sri Lankan capital in 1997 as the war with Tamil Tiger terrorists escalated.

KLM welcomed its first flight operated by the all-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Colombo after nearly 20 years, with a ceremonial Water Cannon salute.

On board were KLM VIPs and Mrs. Joanne Doornewaard, The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The General Manager of Air France – KLM Indian Subcontinent greeted the delegation with vibrant orange scarves, officially welcoming them and other passengers to Colombo.

Further to commemorate this special day and welcome passengers on their first flight from Colombo to Amsterdam, KLM check-in counters at the airport were decorated with balloons, flowers and welcome messages. Passengers were also presented with a token of welcome gift for this first flight.

Before departure, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place in the presence of Welmer Blom, Senior Vice President, Air France – KLM, MEGI region (Middle East, Gulf & Indian Subcontinent), Max Smits, General Manager Air France–KLM, Indian Subcontinent, Mrs Joanne Doornewaard, The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Anil Bandara – Chief Executive of Mack Air Pvt Ltd , GSA for Air France-KLM in Sri Lanka and Rayhan Wanniappa – Deputy Director (Air Transport & Legal Affairs) CAASL.

Throughout the winter season, KLM will operate a twice-weekly service on the route operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner, departing from Colombo on Tuesdays and Saturdays and returning from Schiphol on Mondays and Friday.

With the opening of the new route, KLM’s has opened a gateway of worldwide opportunities to Europe and North America via Amsterdam Schiphol airport which is rated as one of the World’s most convenient transit airport. Customers will be able to connect to KLM’s global network of more than 140 destinations.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has 30 seats in World Business Class, 48 seats in Economy Comfort and 216 seats in Economy Class.

The KLM Dreamliner offers high levels of comfort in air travel and a new in-flight experience for passengers. In World Business Class, passengers will enjoy 2.07 m long full flat beds, full privacy, extra storage and direct access to the aisle. Passengers travelling in Economy Class will appreciate the new seats, which offer 40 per cent more recline. All passengers will have access to a power socket for recharging mobile devices, electronically dimmable windows, seat chat, state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system and onboard Wi-Fi. (Colombo Gazette)