KLM

[Jerry]

KLM will suspend the Cardiff to Amsterdam between 28/3 and 1/5

COVID-19: KLM starts the summer schedule with 57 destinations

Due to the corona crisis, KLM will start the summer schedule with a significantly reduced network. From 29 March until and including 3 May, KLM plans to fly to 25 intercontinental and 32 European destinations. During this period, KLM will fly according to an adjusted schedule, which amounts to...

news.klm.com

 

[Selig]

Yet they will still be flying daily to UK destinations Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London City, London Heathrow, Manchester, and Newcastle during that period, according to the article.

 

[Jerry]

Yet they will still be flying daily to UK destinations Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London City, London Heathrow, Manchester, and Newcastle during that period, according to the article.

Yep. Cardiff, Belfast, Cork, Inverness, Norwich, Teesside and Humberside are all suspended.
With reference to Cardiff they must feel there will not be enough demand for both. Cardiff now only has Anglesey, Glasgow and Edinburgh left as routes. Just a shame the airports busiest route couldn't be kept going.

 

[Jerry]

Coronavirus: KLM cuts Cardiff Airport flights
One of Cardiff Airport's longest-serving airlines is to "significantly reduce" its flights as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus: KLM cuts Cardiff Airport flights

One of Cardiff Airport's longest-serving airlines is to "significantly reduce" its flights.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Chris Gronow]

Such a non-story, what did the BBC expect?

 

[Jerry]

Such a non-story, what did the BBC expect?

As KLM are keeping flights going to other UK airports during that period people will expect them to do the same to Cardiff and won't understand why Cardiff the national airport of Wales will have been suspended even though it's because CWL is a small airport and KLM most likely don't see enough demand to keep the flights going. And any story especially a negative one about Cardiff airport is good clickbait for them. No doubt many comments will blame the airport for high landing fees and the Welsh government rather than the virus that has brought the aviation industry to it's knees.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

As KLM are keeping flights going to other UK airports during that period people will expect them to do the same to Cardiff and won't understand why Cardiff the national airport of Wales will have been suspended even though it's because CWL is a small airport and KLM most likely don't see enough demand to keep the flights going. And any story especially a negative one about Cardiff airport is good clickbait for them. No doubt many comments will blame the airport for high landing fees and the Welsh government rather than the virus that has brought the aviation industry to it's knees.

The article is a bit of a mess anyway.

It begins by saying that KLM as an airline will only fly 10% of its normal number of flights across its network until 3 May. It then states that the airline operates a daily service between Cardiff and Amsterdam - we know that's nonsense because it operates 3 x daily. What it doesn't say is that the the CWL-AMS route won't operate at all between 28 March and 1 May.

 

[Jerry]

The article is a bit of a mess anyway.

It begins by saying that KLM as an airline will only fly 10% of its normal number of flights across its network until 3 May. It then states that the airline operates a daily service between Cardiff and Amsterdam - we know that's nonsense because it operates 3 x daily. What it doesn't say is that the the CWL-AMS route won't operate at all between 28 March and 1 May.

At the moment it is only a daily flight but anyone with any knowledge should know its usually 3 daily. It is a poorly researched article. Clickbait really.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Yet they will still be flying daily to UK destinations Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London City, London Heathrow, Manchester, and Newcastle during that period, according to the article.

They shouldn’t be flying to any of these airports in the next few weeks, in my opinion.

 

[Jerry]

Hi to all.
Update to KLM situation. Hopefully the 9.45 arrival from Amsterdam will materialise tomorrow. I am presently at a completely dead Amsterdam airport waiting for this flight.
I have been told at the desk that it very unlikely that it will be cancelled at short notice.

That should be the last flight then until the beginning of May. Welcome to F4A!

 

[Moonraker]

Many thanks for the welcome.
I am en route from Villahermosa in Mexico via México City and Amsterdam to Cardiff. Travelling on the classic 747 PH-BFL, the flight crew announced that it would be retired at the end of March after completing 3 more flights. A member of the cabin crew enlightened us to say it was her last flight on the type and sounded a little emotional.

 

[Moonraker]

On the KL686 flight from Mexico City, we were advised by email prior to leaving Mexico that all passengers would be served the same food and only tea, coffee and soft drinks due to COVID 19. So no nice menu to choose from in business class. After boarding, the customary water or orange juice was served. This was followed by a sub roll and drink after take off. Before landing a hot pasta dish, fruit and a dessert was served. The customary china pottery not to be seen. The cabin crew wore masks throughout the flight but we’re absolutely brilliant and very apologetic although it was not their fault.

 

[Nigel B]

Am I right in thinking, all airports in UK that KLM are continuing to operate to/from,have competition
ie..EDI,BRS,GLA,MAN etc with Easyjet
LBA with JET2
DUB with Aer Lingus/Ryanair.?

 

[Jerry]

Am I right in thinking, all airports in UK that KLM are continuing to operate to/from,have competition
ie..EDI,BRS,GLA,MAN etc with Easyjet
LBA with JET2
DUB with Aer Lingus/Ryanair.?

Yes most but not sure if those airlines are actually operating flights to Amsterdam at the moment.

 

[Seasider]

Jet2 are not operating from LBA at the moment.

 

[Jerry]

On the KL686 flight from Mexico City, we were advised by email prior to leaving Mexico that all passengers would be served the same food and only tea, coffee and soft drinks due to COVID 19. So no nice menu to choose from in business class. After boarding, the customary water or orange juice was served. This was followed by a sub roll and drink after take off. Before landing a hot pasta dish, fruit and a dessert was served. The customary china pottery not to be seen. The cabin crew wore masks throughout the flight but we’re absolutely brilliant and very apologetic although it was not their fault.

I've flown with them a few times on long haul but most of my flights have been short haul and in both sides they're an excellent airline with great crew!
Thanks for sharing your flight experience with us!

 

[Jerry]

Well hopefully this will be good news for the future of KLM at Cardiff Airport and any potential possiblity of Air France taking over the Paris route in the future.

Exclusive: Air France-KLM in talks on multibillion euro state-backed loan package

Air France-KLM is in talks with banks to receive up to 6 billion euros ($6.5 billion) in loans guaranteed by the French and Dutch governments, as the airline group braces for a sustained coronavirus shutdown, sources told Reuters.

mobile.reuters.com

 

[Jerry]

Just booked Cardiff to Madrid with KLM for the beginning of October and i noticed that KLM still have the CWL-AMS flight down for an E190 but that the last 5 rows are blocked off in seat selection. Maybe as a precaution in case they downgrade to an E175?

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Usually blocked off for weight and balance until bookings increase

 

[Jerry]

Looks like Cardiff won't see any KLM flights until the 4th July.