Amsterdam route reinstated at Exeter Airport - after collapse of Flybe five years ago
The news has been welcomed by council and business leaders
Last updated 10th Dec 2024
One of the key routes lost when Flybe collapsed is now being reinstated by Exeter Airport.
Around 60,000 passengers a year used to fly to and from Amsterdam before the Exeter-based regional carrier entered adminstration in 2019.
While the Flybe brand has since been reserected, the route has not returned - with the airport also hoping in future to reinstate routes to Paris and Manchester too.
The airport today confirmed it will connect with the international aviation hub of Schiphol from end of March next year.
Exeter Airport Managing Director Stephen Wiltshire said: "This is a tremendous boost for regional connectivity, and we are hugely excited by the opportunities KLM will create for passengers across the South West.
Flights will operate every day of the week, providing a fantastic gateway for both business and leisure travellers from their local airport."
Jerome Salemi, General Manager for UK & Ireland at Air-France-KLM, said: “We are very excited to launch Exeter as KLM’s 18th departure point from the UK to Amsterdam and beyond.
“We hope our new services will contribute towards the economic, touristic and cultural development of the region and the local community. We look forward to working with Exeter Airport on making this route a success.”
The flight time is around 90 minutes with departures from Amsterdam to Exeter at 16.15 local time, and from Exeter to Amsterdam at 17.20 local time, seven days a week.
Services will be operated by KLM Cityhopper from 30th March next year, using an 88-seat Embraer 175 regional jet aircraft.
Paul Coles, Chief Executive of the South West Business Council, said: "This is fantastic news for Exeter Airport and the region. KLM is a word class global carrier and if there is one route the business community wanted to see from Exeter, Amsterdam is it. Well done to Stephen and the team at Exeter Airport."