Increasing flight frequencies to Curaçao, Bonaire and Aruba

Flight frequencies to Curaçao are being increased. KLM currently operates seven scheduled services to this Caribbean island every week with Boeing 747 equipment. An extra weekly flight with an Airbus A330 will be added to the schedule from 15 November for the rest of the winter season. The two flights to St Martin via Curaçao are in addition to this service. Two more weekly flights will also operate from mid December to the end of February 2018. This means there will be 12 flights a week between Amsterdam and Curaçao throughout this period. This is a substantial intensification of the service, reflecting KLM’s firm belief that there will be increased demand to this destination.

The number of roundtrips between Amsterdam, Bonaire and Aruba will also increase. KLM will operate an A330 service seven times a week on this route, instead of the current six, throughout the winter season.

Depending on developments over the next few days, KLM will if necessary deploy additional extra flights to Curaçao as long as the airport on Sint Maarten remains closed for commercial passenger flights.

The world is within reach for more people. This includes KLM’s new European destinations, as well as Sri Lanka, Costa Rica and Mauritius.

About the draught-beer trolley
The beer that is served from the draught trolley is delivered cold to the aircraft in kegs which are enclosed in highly-insulated shells. These keep the beer at the right temperature, guaranteeing cold draught beer is on tap throughout a hot flight. A select group of cabin personnel have received special training to pour perfect beer at altitude, which in no way differs from the draught beer passengers are used to on the ground.

Innovative keg
KLM works constantly on product innovation to improve the comfort of its passengers. The development of the draught trolley is a shining example of this. It took KLM and Heineken years to develop the trolley, which carries a highly innovative keg. The “BrewLock” keg works on air pressure instead of CO2. This is because air pressure in an aircraft cabin is very different from air pressure on the ground. The air pressure brings the “BrewLock” up to the right pressure, compensates for the low pressure onboard, and builds up the pressure at the tap.

KLM’s Dutch-product vision
Joining forces with Heineken is part of KLM’s product vision in which the Netherlands takes centre stage. Dutch Michelin-Star chef, Jacob Jan Boerma, has composed the meals for World Business Class; there is a special “Flying Dutchman” cocktail from Bols; Marcel Wanders has designed the crockery; and Jan Taminiau the comfort bags. The uniforms worn by KLM cabin crew have been designed by Mart Visser, while Hella Jongerius redesigned the cabin interiors. World Business Class passengers receive a comfort bag and a famous Delft Blue KLM House.

Click here to read the KLM-blog about the first draught beer on board. 

The flights will be operated on:

Sunday 24 April
Wednesday 27 April
Tuesday 3 May
Thursday 5 May
Saturday 7 May

Flight schedule
KL0733 AMS 13:45 - CUR 17:55
KL0734 CUR 19:30 – AMS 11:00

On board
There was extra attention for the KLM Curaçao Marathon aboard the KLM flights from Amsterdam to Curaçao (KL735) on 25 and 26 November. A short film of last year’s marathon was screened and the crew extended a special welcome to runners on board. Passengers were also served energy-boosting bars and beverages.

2,000 euros and hundreds of books for a charity programme
The Run in the Sun Foundation this year partnered the KLM Curacao Marathon with “Run 4 Books”, a programme stimulating reading among primary school children on Curaçao. Runners were able to make a donation when registering or were asked to drop off a new or used children’s book at the reception of participating hotels. In addition to an impressive number of donated books, the event raised 2,000 euros for the charity programme.

Charity

Running is a popular sport among many of KLM's most loyal customers. Moreover, KLM is committed to the social role of the event, which encourages young and old to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.

The Run in the Sun foundation will link the KLM Curacao Marathon 2015 to Run 4 Books!, a charity which aims to encourage children of primary school age in Curacao to read (or read more) by offering them fun children's books. Runners can make a donation during registration or contribute a new or used children's book at the front desk of participating hotels.

Participants will be able to choose from a variety of distances: a 5 km walk or run, a 10 km walk or run, a half or a whole marathon, or a trail of 10.5 or 16.65 km.

Registering

Runners can sign up online via klmcuracaomarathon.com or through official travel partners in the Netherlands such as Holland Runner, Marathons International, ABC Travel, Corendon and Does & Cadushi. Flying Blue members can purchase starting numbers with Miles (see flyingbluerunning.com/travel/run-and-miles).

CAP and KLM have worked closely together in securing the service and will receive the support from CTB and CHATA to promote and create the necessary awareness around the additional flights.

Course
The event will follow a unique route. The starting point is the Lions Dive & Beach Resort. Participants in the half and full marathon will run along the water of Curacao, over the famous Queen Emma pontoon bridge (‘swinging old lady’), and over the Queen Juliana Bridge – one of the world’s highest bridges at 185 feet above the sea, a route that is normally not open to people on foot. The famous “Handelskade” is also part of the route.

Musical support
It promises to be a vibrant occasion for participants and spectators alike. Radio Dolfijn and Curom Broadcasting will report on the event from start to finish, so that those unable to attend can also follow the developments. An audio license has been granted for the entire trajectory, and hotels along the route, such as the Avila Hotel, Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino, Hilton Curacao Resort and Kura Hulanda Village & Spa Curacao, as well as the Curacao Tourist Bureau will provide support by means of drinking stations and Caribbean music.

Before and after
The evening before the event there will be a traditional ‘Pasta Party’; the first edition of which is being developed with the support of Michelin star chef and marathon runner Pascal Jalhay, in collaboration with Curacao “Culinair”. The finish and after-party will be celebrated at one of the island’s most popular beaches, in front of the Lions Dive Hotel & Beach Resort. The awards will be presented on a stage floating in the ocean.

Registration
Participants can register online via klmcuracaomarathon.com . Every participant will receive a start number with time registration, a medal and a t-shirt. The results will be available online immediately after the finish. On Saturday 29 November there will also be the Lito Kids’ Run, sponsored by Maduro & Curiel’s Bank.

Organisation
The Run in the Sun Foundation is organising this event in cooperation with the Curacao Tourist Board, Curacao Athletics Association and the Curacao Hospitality and Tourism Association. The Royal Netherlands Navy will support the organisers, with particular emphasis on the 15 km Trail.

The goal of the Foundation is to promote running on Curacao among people of all ages. It believes that the positive influence of sports and running events can contribute to a better relationship between various communities, stimulate a healthier lifestyle, and promote tourism to Curacao. The Board of the Foundation consists of initiator Kees van Muiswinkel, Race Director Wim Verhoorn and Martin Does of Kuoni and Does Travel & Cadushi Tours.

Sponsoring
KLM is the main sponsor of the event as running is a much-loved sport among many of the airline’s most loyal customers. Moreover, the sport is becoming increasingly popular and can be enjoyed by travellers around the world. KLM also values the social role of the event, stimulating young and old to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Moreover, in late 2014, KLM will have been flying to Curacao for 80 years.

Other partners include the Curaçao Tourist Board, Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association, Does Travel & Cadushi Tours, Insel Air, Intertrust, Janssen de Jong Groep, Lions Dive & Beach Resort, Madura and Curiel’s Bank en Kuoni Nederland.

Charity
In association with the KLM Curacao Marathon 2014, the Run in the Sun Foundation has initiated the charity ‘Run 4 Shoes!’. When registering participants can make a donation, and donate running shoes for Curacao children in all participating hotels.

Website:www.klmcuracaomarathon.com
Facebook:www.facebook.com/klmcuracaomarathon