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.

Xiamen Airlines and KLM will also intensify their partnership by extending code-sharing to more flights across their respective networks, giving their customers a broader and better range of options for travel beyond their hubs in Xiamen and Amsterdam. Xiamen Airlines launched direct service between Xiamen and Amsterdam in summer 2015, supplementing the service KLM has operated between Amsterdam and Xiamen since 2011. Together, KLM and Xiamen Airlines operate six weekly code-share services between their respective hubs.

Xiamen Airlines and KLM also pledged to make use of each other’s catering services, to explore opportunities for staff exchange with a view to mutual learning, and to make their cooperation more effective.