KLM launches scheduled service to Chengdu in China

KLM will be launching a scheduled service between Amsterdam and Chengdu in Central China effective May 28, 2006. The new roundtrip flight will be operated twice weekly.

AMSTELVEEN, January 24, 2006 – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will launch scheduled service between Amsterdam and Chengdu in central China effective May 28, 2006. The new roundtrip flight will operate twice weekly using a Boeing 777-200ER. The service is in cooperation with partner China Southern.

Destination	Aircraft Type	Date	Dept. Time	Arr. Time
Amsterdam to Chengdu	B777-200ER	Wed Sun	20:40 (Holland time)	12:30 (China Time)
Chengdu to Amsterdam	B777-200ER	Mon Thurs	14:00 (China Time)	18:45 (Holland time)

The flight will be around 10 hours, shorter than via Beijing to Chengdu and Tibet.
The price is 4888RMB equals to 528Euros (according to the exchange rate)

To book this flight, visit KLM; To book a Tibet tour, contact Access Tibet Tour.

In addition to flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, KLM will offer its customers a fourth direct destination in the rapidly expanding Chinese market, bringing the total to 23 weekly passenger services. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province. Together with neighboring Chongqing Province, it is home to some 120 million residents. Chengdu has by far the largest international airport in this part of China.

KLM’s new service provides this region with its first direct connection to Europe. At Chengdu passengers will be able to connect with flights to other destinations in China.

KLM Cargo will be able to ship more than 15 tons of cargo on board the Boeing 777 flights to and from Chengdu.

“KLM views China as one of its most important growth markets,” said KLM deputy CEO Peter Hartman. “With the introduction of this new service we are matching words with deeds to connect this fascinating region of China to Europe and, via Schiphol, with the rest of the world.”

Capacity for this new scheduled service will become available once the thirteenth new Boeing 777 joins the KLM fleet in May.

Effective May 28, 2006, flight KL 891 will depart from Schiphol on Wednesdays and Sundays at 20:40 hours, arriving in Chengdu at 12:30 hours the next day. The return flight, KL 892 will then depart on Thursdays and Mondays at 14:00 hours, arriving in Amsterdam the same day at 18:45 hours.

More information about the conditions and schedule pertaining to the new Amsterdam-Chengdu service can be found at www.klm.com and in the reservation systems.

For more information:
KLM Media Relations, Bart Koster, + 31 20 649 45 45.