Air France/KLM

[superking]

Yes it was planned for a couple of years back. Can only think that they had no B737 spare to do the rotations. The E190 were and are getting good loads so sure it wasn't through lack of pax.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

BRS has issued a press release today (see below) regarding the introduction of a Boeing 737 on one of the four daily BRS-AMS rotations from 24 June. An additional 10,000 seats will be provided as a result. The upgrade is said by an airline spokesperson to be based on 'strong passenger numbers' and 'positive commercial performance' on the route.

I wonder if the loss (temporary?) of the Brussels Airlines BRU route has played a part, although I remember posting a few months ago that in 2017 KLM's BRS-AMS route had an average load factor comfortably over 90% for the entire year.

Given that the E190 was used then on the four daily rotations I wondered if the airline would attempt to increase its passenger numbers and, if so, how it would do so. There seemed only two ways: more rotations or larger aircraft. For the moment they have decided on the latter.

Amsterdam is invariably one of BRS's most heavily used routes each year. In 2018 it was the busiest with a total of just under 434,000 passengers using the KLM and easyJet services.

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/ab...019/4/klm-extra-capacity-from-bristol-airport

KLM adds an extra 10,000 seats for summer 2019 from Bristol Airport
Created: 24th Apr 2019

KLM has added 10,000 additional seats between Bristol and Amsterdam this summer, commencing Monday 24 June. The extra capacity will be provided by upgrading the aircraft operating on the weekday service to a Boeing 737 aircraft, providing an additional 32 seats per flight.

KLM currently operates four daily flights to Amsterdam from Bristol and the introduction of the Boeing 737 jet service will increase the overall seat capacity by 6.2% compared to the same period last summer.

The extra capacity will create new opportunities for customers to visit the stunning city of Amsterdam for a short break or take advantage of quick and convenient connections to 162 KLM destinations worldwide, via its award winning hub at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

Benedicte Duval, General Manager for Air France-KLM in the UK & Ireland said

“Due to strong passenger numbers and positive commercial performance on our Bristol to Amsterdam route, we are pleased to be in a position to increase route capacity for the summer 2019 season.

“The addition of a larger Boeing 737 aircraft will provide almost 10,000 additional seats across the period, giving people in the West of England more opportunity to fly with KLM, and take advantage of our worldwide connections from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.”

Nigel Scott, Business Development Director, Bristol Airport said:

“This is incredibly exciting news and we are delighted that KLM is adding the B737 jet service to the Amsterdam route from Bristol Airport for the first time.

“This decision is based on the strong passenger demand in the region and represents a key milestone in our relationship with KLM. The airline has consistently improved the service and product from Bristol Airport over 30 years of the airline partnership. We look forward to additional improvements in the future which will benefit business, leisure passengers and inbound visitors with improved connectivity from Bristol to the world via the Amsterdam hub.”

Forecast to serve more than nine million passengers 2019, Bristol is the ninth busiest airport in the UK, and England’s third largest regional airport operating to 126 direct routes globally.

 

[Kernow Bravo]

It is interesting that they will roster the additional capacity on the last flight of the day - presumably that's where they see the greatest demand. It is probably driven by those on business having an early meeting the next day but also connecting traffic to KL's overnight longhaul services, typically eastbound.

Given that connections via BRU, FRA and MUC have all been lost due to the FlyBMI demise, I'm somewhat surprised that KLM have taken this long to capitalise on the situation, but it is likely due to aircraft type availability as mentioned by other posters.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

BRS Press release.

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/ab...stol-airport-showcasing-connectivity-to-dubai

Dubai Tourist Board and KLM initiative advertising AMS connectivity via BRS.

This particular example is fine if Dubai is the final destination. It's not quite as useful for connectivity from Dubai further east although our daughter, son-in-law and grandsons used Lufthansa from MAN changing at FRA and on to SIN, and then to MEL with Singapore Airlines when they emigrated to Oz ten years ago. They were living in Cheshire so MAN was their local airport.

Bristol Airport showcasing connectivity to Dubai
Created: 18th May 2019

Bristol Airport hosted a group of business and leisure agents visiting Dubai for a four-day visit (10 – 13 May). In collaboration with KLM the group experienced Bristol Airport’s facilities, the inflight product, the ease of connecting through Amsterdam hub airport and showcasing Dubai as a destination available from Bristol Airport.

In the last month KLM added 10,000 additional seats between Bristol and Amsterdam for this summer, commencing from Monday 24 June. The extra capacity will be provided by upgrading the aircraft operating on the weekday service to a Boeing 737 aircraft, providing an additional 32 seats per flight. KLM currently operates four daily flights to Amsterdam from Bristol where passengers are able to take advantage of 162 KLM destinations worldwide.

Dan Mills, Business Development and Corporate Relationship Manager at Bristol Airport, said:

“It was a wonderful opportunity to show our business and leisure agents the ease of using Amsterdam airport to connect to other long-haul destinations. We were guests of Dubai Tourist Board and they provided a range of activities highlighting the best Dubai has to offer, including a desert safari, visit to souks and the Burgh Khalifa experience with the opportunity of soaking up the exotic and cultural atmosphere of the area. It was a great opportunity to showcase the facilities at Bristol Airport and the vital role it plays in the region for passengers choosing to fly-local and not drive to use London airports.”

In 2019 Bristol Airport is investing over £60 million in customer enhancements and development projects to include car parks, terminal, catering and airline facilities. Plans are already well progressed for further growth in 2019 and beyond, building on a successful 2018 which saw 8.6 million passengers use the Airport. The success of the airport is clearly linked to the strong economy in the South West region supporting business, inbound tourism and leisure markets.

Forecast to serve more than nine million passengers 2019, Bristol is the ninth busiest airport in the UK, and England’s third largest regional airport operating to 126 direct routes globally.

 

[Marko1]

The second morning departure to ams starts with a b737 tomorrow morning plus every Friday until later this month when it reverts to every afternoon mon to fri . It departs at 09:30

 

[Marko1]

737 was on its way but has turned back to Amsterdam over the Home Counties

 

[alphagolf]

737 was on its way but has turned back to Amsterdam over the Home Counties

Yes returns to AMS and subsequently the KL1050 is Cancelled from BRS.

 

[Marko1]

Boeing 737-700 on its way

 

[Marko1]

Regular daily b737 starts today

 

[Marko1]

Two b737 services tomorrow and next Friday. Second and fourth rotations

 

[superking]

Two b737 services tomorrow and next Friday. Second and fourth rotations

Is this due to more pax or normal aircraft shortage.

 

[Marko1]

Does any one know if klm are planning on carrying on using the b737 on the brs route post October. Nothing in the schedule up till August next year so far

 

[Jerry]

Does any one know if klm are planning on carrying on using the b737 on the brs route post October. Nothing in the schedule up till August next year so far

If they were I'd have thought that it would be loaded up by now for the winter period at least. Summer might be done later on.

 

[superking]

Does any one know if klm are planning on carrying on using the b737 on the brs route post October. Nothing in the schedule up till August next year so far

With Easy jet upping the rotation too 2 a day I would think KLM would stay with the E190,but who knows what will happen.

 

[Jerry]

With Easy jet upping the rotation too 2 a day I would think KLM would stay with the E190,but who knows what will happen.

I don't think KLM will worry to much about that unless they start losing transfer passengers.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Does any one know if klm are planning on carrying on using the b737 on the brs route post October. Nothing in the schedule up till August next year so far

Re summer 2020, the 737 wasn't shown for summer 2019 at this time last year.

In fact, the announcement was only made on 24 April this year for a commencement date just two months later on 24 June. Prior to 24 April an E190 would have been shown in the booking engine for the rotation the 737 operates.

 

[Marko1]

737 now showing on one of the four daily ams next summer

 

[Jerry]

Interesting bit of info. Bristol to Milan is number 10 in KLMs top 10 UK city pairs.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1191334216765706241

 

[Jerry]

Does anyone know if KLM will be using the 737 into Bristol next summer? I've had a look on their app and can't seem to find it down for any flights.

 

[Marko1]

Does anyone know if KLM will be using the 737 into Bristol next summer? I've had a look on their app and can't seem to find it down for any flights.

I think it’s a very limited season now - July and August only at the moment. I think last year it went till the end of the summer season. Lufthansa / Brussels effect ?