KLM restarts network: 5,000 European flights in July

KLM is gradually restarting its network. During the month of July, KLM will operate 5,000 European flights. The forecast for August is 11,000.

Intercontinental is about 1,900 in July and 2,100 in August. Currently, about half of intercontinental flights carry only cargo on board. KLM hopes that as worldwide travel restrictions are eased, passengers will again be allowed on an increasing number of intercontinental flights starting in July.

The number of flights shows a significant growth compared to the month of April, when KLM’s flight operations came to a virtual standstill due to the corona crisis. Within Europe, KLM operated 1,116 flights in April; intercontinental flights were 612.

The recovery has therefore begun tentatively, but the 2019 level is still far from being approached, KLM said in a statement. Indeed, during the months of July and August last year, KLM operated a total of some 22,000 flights. In addition, occupancy rates continue to lag behind the record year of 2019.

Number of destinations: as many choices as possible
The number of destinations shows a slightly different picture. KLM has chosen to restart as many destinations as possible first to give customers a wide choice and then to increase frequencies and capacity.

This means that in July, some 80 percent of the normal number of European destinations and some 75 percent of intercontinental destinations will be offered. In August, it was about 95 percent and 80 percent, respectively.

Again, about half of intercontinental flights currently carry only cargo and therefore no passengers yet. When international travel restrictions are eased, KLM will resume transporting passengers to these destinations.