KLM celebrates 60 years of connectivity between Birmingham and Amsterdam
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is marking 60 years since its first flight between Birmingham and Amsterdam, which took place in 1966.
The inaugural service created a new air link between the West Midlands and the Dutch capital, Amsterdam.
Since those first flights, KLM has strengthened its presence in Birmingham, connecting travellers from the region to destinations across the globe through its hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Today, KLM operates up to five daily flights between Birmingham Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, offering customers from the Midlands convenient onward connections to KLM's worldwide network of more than 160 destinations.
Recent booking data from January to August 2026 highlights how the route has played an important role in supporting international travel, whether for business, leisure or visiting friends and family.
Aside from the Netherlands, some of the most popular European destinations booked by local customers include Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The top long-haul destinations include Thailand, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.
At the same time, the route supports the local economy and inbound tourism. While the top visiting countries from Europe are the same as the top European destinations, the US, Canada, Accra and Nigeria generate the bigger volume of visitors coming from further afield.
Jerome Salemi, General Manager Air France-KLM UK & Ireland, said:
"This significant milestone reflects our long-standing commitment to the Midlands. We are proud to have played a part in connecting the region with the rest of the world, whether travelling for business, exploring new destinations or visiting loved ones. Birmingham remains a key element of our UK network, and we look forward to welcoming customers on board for many years to come."
Andrew Pelham, Head of Airline Relations at Birmingham Airport, said:
“It is fantastic to be celebrating 60 years of partnership with KLM. The airline has provided Midlands passengers with a direct gateway to Amsterdam and onward travel through its extensive worldwide network of connections. We look forward to building on that success for many years to come.”