Xiamen Airlines is KLM E&M’s launching customer for this engine type and the agreement extends the close partnership that already exists between KLM and Xiamen Airlines. The ten-year contract, valued at no less than USD 125 million, was signed in a KLM hangar at Schiphol East today by Ton Dortmans, Executive Vice President E&M KLM, and Cai Chengbao, Executive Vice President Xiamen Airlines. Also present were Xiamen Airlines Chairman & CEO, Che Shanglun, and KLM president & CEO Pieter Elbers.

Jet Airways has also entered into a codeshare partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Delta Air Lines to provide convenient connections for passengers to and from key destinations across Europe and North America via Amsterdam. The partnership will enable customers to enjoy enhanced connectivity and seamless travel throughout the combined networks of Jet Airways, KLM and Delta.

Highlights of the agreement include:
An extensive European networkUnder the codeshare arrangement, Jet Airways will place its marketing code on KLM’s flights from Amsterdam to 30 cities across Europe including key destinations such as: Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Edinburgh, Geneva, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Helsinki, Madrid, Manchester, Oslo, Prague, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Vienna, and Zurich.

Greater connectivity to North America
Jet Airways will also place its marketing code on KLM and Delta flights to 11 points across USA and Canada, namely: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, Newark, Washington, San Francisco, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal and Vancouver.(*)

Increased travel options to India and beyond
For customers flying on KLM and Delta flights from North America and Europe, both airlines will place their marketing codes on Jet Airways’ flights between Amsterdam and Mumbai and Delhi. The airlines will also place their codes on flights beyond these gateways to key destinations including: Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Goa, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Kolkata, and Amritsar. Subject to government approvals, KLM and Delta will also codeshare on flights to Kathmandu, Nepal and Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Customers flying via Mumbai and Delhi will also be able to access Jet Airways’ network of 48 destinations within India as well as destinations in the Indian subcontinent and Asia.

Benefits for Cargo customers
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s position as one of the largest gateways in Europe provides greater options for Jet Airways’ freight customers, thanks to seamless links with sea, rail and road transportation. Jet Airways’ direct daily flights from Amsterdam will benefit exports from the Netherlands including pharmaceuticals,specialized medical equipment, food and horticultural products, by facilitating access to Jet Airways’ network across the vast Indian market.

(*) Certain codeshare routes are pending Government approvals

All questions of next-of-kin from KLM-passengers related to flight MH17 can be sent to Customersupportmh17@klm.com.

UPDATE: 30th of July - 10:30 CET

IATA Press Release: Joint Efforts to Improve Safety - Industry and Governments Address Safety Over Conflict Zones.
Montreal - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) joined with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Airports Council International (ACI) and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO) in a declaration committing the parties to review processes for the overflight of conflict zones. The high-level meeting was called by ICAO in the aftermath of the tragic downing of MH17 over the Ukraine earlier this month.

>> Read the entire IATA Press Release <<

UPDATE: 25th of July - 22:00 CET

FAQ (*) regarding Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 – 25 July 2014
(*) can be found at the bottom of this statement and click here for the PDF.

Due to the tragic incident of flight MH17 from Malaysia Airlines we understand that you might have questions or would like to share your concerns. Via this document we share our answers to the most frequently asked questions. If your question or concern is not addressed in this list, we advise you to contact the dedicated phone number (+31 (0)70 3487770) or the website of Malaysia Airlines for further information.

UPDATE: 22nd of July - 16:30 CET

KLM Mourns Deeply

Last Thursday, the world was confronted with the terrible news of the tragedy of flight MH17. Many KLM staff have expressed their horror at the news and have shared their anguish with their co-workers. Over the past days, volunteers among the KLM Care Team have worked hard to assist the staff at Malaysia Airlines by caring for and answering the questions of the victims’ next of kin, extended families, and friends. Every day, Customer Care and the Social Media Hub have been in contact with the many customers who have expressed their sympathy. Many have questions about their own flights and whether KLM continues to fly through the same airspace. KLM stopped using the airspace over eastern Ukraine immediately and the airspace is now closed to all air traffic. In the time to come, KLM will do all it can to support Malaysia Airlines in every way possible.

UPDATE: 12:00 CET

Please find on the bottom of this page the Q&A about Malaysia Airlines MH17. (On the right hand side of this statement the Q&A can be downloaded).

UPDATE: 18th of July - 00:40 CET

Malaysia Airlines has an emergency number available +60378841234

Buitenlandse zaken (Foreign affairs the Netherlands) has an emergency number available +31 70 3487770

UPDATE: 20:41

It is with great regret that KLM has learnt about the accident with flight MH17, codeshare KL4103, of Malaysia Airlines from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Our hearts go out to all families and friends of the passengers and crew on board of flight MH17.We are in contact with Malaysia Airlines to obtain further information. As a precautionary measure KLM avoids flying over the concerned territory.

19:32 CET

Although not yet officially confirmed by Malaysia Airlines, it is with great regret that KLM has learnt about the possible incident with flight MH17, codeshare KL4103, of Malaysia Airlines from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

We are in contact with Malaysia Airlines to obtain further information. As a precautionary measure KLM avoids flying over the concerned territory. KLM has published the currently available emergency number of Malaysia Airlines: 0060378841234.

UPDATE: 25th of July - 22:00 CET

Please find below the Q&A Malaysia MH17. (On the right hand side of the statement the Q&A can be found in PDF format).

What is KLM’s response on the tragic incident?
KLM is deeply saddened to learn of the incident involving Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Our thoughts go out to all family and friends of passengers and crew aboard the flight. We have immediately rendered our condolences to Malaysia Airlines and KLM supports Malaysian Airlines with the care and assistance to the next of kin.

Is there an emergency number?
There are dedicated phone numbers of the Dutch government (+31 (0)70 3487770) and Malaysia Airlines (+603 878 71276). You can find additional information on the website of Malaysia Airlines (www.malaysiaairlines.com/mh17). All assistance and questions can be addressed via these phone numbers.

Is KLM still flying over East Ukrainian territory?
No, immediately after the first announcement of the incident of MH17, KLM stopped flying over Ukraine territory.

Why did KLM fly over this route, while some other airlines were avoiding the region?
There were no restrictions on the operated flights. Air traffic control authority and other authorities who regulate airspace and/or give information about the safety decide if airspace is open for flight operations. From that information followed that this route was safe. KLM never violates directions of air traffic control authority. 

How does KLM decide whether an area is safe or not?
Safety of our customers and crew is always our main concern. KLM is continuously monitoring the safety situation on all routes real time. KLM obtains information from various sources, including the authorities, like the Air Traffic Controls, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Was flight MH17 a codeshare flight and what exactly is codeshare?
This was a codeshare flight. In a partnership airlines can attach their own flight number or code to each other’s services (KL4103 was a codeshare to flight MH17). This enables one airline to offer their own passengers seats on scheduled services of the other airline operating the flight and vice versa. KLM has been partnered with Malaysia Airlines since 1998.

Do the flight numbers MH17 and KLM4103 still exist?
Flight MH17 changed to flight MH19 from 25th July. Also flight number KL4103 changed to KL4123 from 25th July.

How many passengers were on board, and what were their nationalities?
All available details of flight MH17 can be found on the website of Malaysia Airlines, the operating airline (www.malaysiaairlines.com/mh17).

What is KLM’s rebooking policy if you want to change your travel plans because of the MH17 incident?
If you would like to change your travel plans we advise you to contact our reservations department who can help finding a personal solution.

Has KLM made arrangements to take care of the next of kin at Schiphol?
Malaysia Airlines arranges for the care and assistance of the next of kin. Immediately after the incident, KLM offered support to Malaysia Airlines. Volunteers from KLMs Care & Assist team assist with the support for the next of kin.   

What financial consequences will this have for KLM?
Our main concern and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of passengers and crew who were aboard the aircraft.

Xiamen Airlines’ fast expanding international network includes Southeast and Northeast Asia and the airline has announced plans to launch flights to Europe, North America and Australasia by 2014 after the introduction of Boeing 787. SkyTeam membership offers Xiamen Airlines’ customers greater connectivity onto international routes from China operated by other alliance members. This includes carriers from the region: China Airlines, China Eastern and China Southern, and eight additional SkyTeam airlines: Aeroméxico, Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Delta, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines. 

In keeping with SkyTeam’s focus on enriching the customer experience, Xiamen Airlines has also started rolling out SkyPriority, SkyTeam priority airport services for SkyTeam Elite Plus, First and Business Class passengers worldwide. Effective immediately, Xiamen Airlines’ customers will be able to earn and redeem miles on services operated by all SkyTeam member airlines. Members of other SkyTeam airlines’ frequent flyer programs can also earn and redeem miles when flying on Xiamen Airlines-operated flights.

SkyTeam passengers traveling to China will be able to fly on Xiamen Airlines flights as part of SkyTeam’s Go Round the World and Go Greater China Passes, giving them even more options to enjoy flexible, cost-effective travel globally and throughout the region.
For more information:

SkyTeam
Corporate Communications
T: +31 (0)20 333 3064
E: media@skyteam.com

“We are very pleased to be further developing our long term relationship with KLM” said UIA’s President Yuri Miroshnikov. “This is an excellent step in expanding access to each others markets, for both airlines, and for UIA in implementing its strategy for greater European integration”

Together, the airlines fly 28 times a week between Amsterdam and Kiev. In June, a fourth daily frequency will be added to the route.

In addition, KLM and Ukraine International Airlines will expand their codeshare agreement on Ukrainian domestic flights originating in Kiev operated by Ukraine International Airlines to five destinations in Ukraine — Donetsk (DOK), Dnipropetrovsk (DNK), Lviv (LWO), Odessa (ODS) and Simferopol (SIP). The same will be the case on flights originating in Amsterdam, operated by KLM, to Birmingham (BHX), Edinburgh (EDI), Manchester (MAN) and London Heathrow (LHR).

Starting 25 March, KLM and UIA will jointly start the new, high frequency, code share operations. The enhanced cooperation will be implemented in its full scope upon receipt of the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities.

Passengers can book their flight directly through KLM’s and UIA’s reservation systems or via KLM.com and/or flyUIA.com.

China has become an increasingly important trade partner for the Middle East. With members China Airlines, China Eastern and China Southern, the SkyTeam network opens up increased opportunities for commerce in the Greater China Region.

Effective immediately, MEA customers will be able to earn and redeem miles on services operated by all SkyTeam member airlines. Members of other SkyTeam airlines’ frequent flyer programs can also earn and redeem miles when flying on MEA operated flights.

MEA’s membership and integration into the alliance is sponsored by founding SkyTeam member Air France.