Newcastle Airport hails 40-year KLM alliance

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Newcastle International Airport are celebrating 40 years of partnership.

Since 1984, KLM has expanded from a single weekday flight between Newcastle and Amsterdam to operating up to five daily flights, serving both leisure and business passengers.

The long-standing partnership has greatly contributed to increased international exports, inbound tourism and foreign direct investment into the North East, with more than 347,000 passengers flying with KLM from Newcastle in the past year.

Through KLM’s hub in Amsterdam, travellers from the North East are able to access 155 worldwide destinations, including Johannesburg, Munich and Las Vegas. Combined with KLM’s group partner, Air France, this extends to 227 worldwide destinations.

Leon McQuaid, director of aviation development at Newcastle Airport, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating this fantastic milestone with KLM, its passengers and business partners.  

“We would like to thank the airline for its significant contribution to the growth of the airport, and for the part it has played in connecting the region to the world over the past 40 years.” 

Sarah Green, chief executive of the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, added: “40 years is such a significant milestone and a fitting time to celebrate KLM’s investment into our regional economy - from connecting millions of business and leisure visitors from more than 150 destinations to creating jobs right across the supply chain. 

“Together as a region, we have a plan to double the value of our visitor economy in parallel with the North East Combined Authority’s trailblazing devolution deal. Our partnership with Newcastle Airport and their airlines underpins this ambitious growth strategy. 

“Our award-winning airport remains one of the best international gateways in the world, and we look forward to continuing our work with both the airport and KLM to attract more inbound visitors to experience the very best our region has to offer.” 

To mark the milestone, KLM hosted an exclusive wine tasting event at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, on Gateshead’s Quayside, with the Millennium Bridge illuminated in celebration of the enduring partnership.

Jerome Salemi, KLM general manager for the UK and Ireland, added: “We are very proud to be celebrating such a milestone with Newcastle Airport. 

“We look forward to continuing this great relationship with the airport and the local community from the North East for years to come.” 

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