Network, technology and innovation have always played an important role in moving KLM forward, by making travel easy and creating memorable experiences for its customers. KLM was the first western airline in China to offer servicing on WeChat and Weibo in 2014, and opened its first flagship store on Alitrip (Fliggy) in 2016. The Netherlands and China are well connected by KLM and partner airlines, serving 8 destinations non-stop from Amsterdam to/from Greater China, with 67 weekly flights, connecting to over 50 KLM codeshare destinations in China, flying over 1.6 million passengers per year.

MoU KLM and Xiamen Airlines

The MoU between Xiamen Airlines and KLM was signed by Che Shanglun, Chairman of Xiamen Airlines and Pieter Elbers, President and CEO of KLM. Under the framework of this agreement, KLM Engineering & Maintenance will provide maintenance of 138 Leap engines for the new Boeing 737 Max operated by Xiamen Airlines.

Pieter Elbers commented: “This agreement intensifies our relationship and confirms once more KLM's expertise and competence in the area of high-grade engine maintenance, thereby securing job related opportunities in Amsterdam.”

Che Shanglun, Chairman of Xiamen Airlines commented: “Following earlier successful maintenance contracts between Xiamen Airlines and KLM, the signing of this MoU will lead to even closer ties and wider cooperation between our two airlines in the future.”

MoU KLM and Ctrip

The MoU between Ctrip and KLM was signed by Jane Sun Jie, CEO of Ctrip.com and Pieter Elbers, President and CEO of KLM. This MoU is a first step towards a strategic partnership agreement in which Ctrip and KLM will work on a set of projects to enhance the offer to Chinese consumers ranging from distribution and marketing to loyalty programs. For Ctrip as largest online travel agency, this is the sole strategic partnership with any European airline.

Pieter Elbers commented: “With so many complementary areas across our businesses and supply chains, the partnership with Ctrip has the potential to help us realize significant innovations in areas including customer service, data operations, flight route development and product marketing. This will help to solidify and grow The Netherlands’ position as the ’Gateway to Europe’ for Chinese travelers and enterprises."

Ctrip’s CEO Sun Jie commented: “With the great opportunities presented by the EU-China Tourism Year in general and the agreement with KLM in particular, Ctrip will help more Chinese tourists travel to Europe, broadening horizons and benefiting business partners in the region.”

klik hier voor het hele persbericht

In April 2016, the partnership between KLM and Xiamen Airlines was expanded with a 10-year contract that will see KLM Engineering & Maintenance handling the upkeep of the General Electric Next Generation engines of six Xiamen Airlines Boeing 787-8s.

In 2011, KLM began operating direct flights between Amsterdam and Xiamen. Since them, KLM has welcomed almost a half million passengers on this route. Xiamen Airlines also began operating on this route in March 2015, as part of a strategic partnership between KLM, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.

Years of cooperation KLM and China

KLM and China Southern Airlines have worked together on the Amsterdam-Beijing route since 1996. Their cooperation has since steadily evolved into a strategic partnership. Now KLM serves routes between Amsterdam and mainland China (Chengdu, Hangzhou, Xiamen and together with China Southern Airlines Guangzhou) with a codeshare agreement in 2001 and a Joint Venture Agreement in 2006. KLM is proud of its partnership with China Southern Airlines, which makes Amsterdam an important gateway to China from Europe and for Chinese passengers visiting Europe and the rest of the world.

KLM and China Southern Airlines together offer eight non-stop services between Amsterdam and destinations in Greater China, with 57 frequencies a week, and per 26 July 2015 with the addition of Xiamen Airlines 60 frequencies a week. Together Air France and KLM operate nine destinations in Greater-China with 88 frequencies weekly.

Code sharing

KLM and Xiamen Airlines are both members of SkyTeam. The Xiamen Airlines’ flights will be codeshare operated with KLM. KLM and Xiamen Airlines currently have a one-sided codeshare agreement to six destinations in China. Due to the increase in the number of flights between Amsterdam and Xiamen, KLM and Xiamen Airlines will expand their codeshare partnership in China and Europe to 15 destinations. The airlines will also codeshare on the Amsterdam-Xiamen route.

About Xiamen Airlines

Xiamen Airlines is established on 25 July, 1984 and owned by China Southern Airlines (51%), Xiamen Construction and Development Group (34%), and Jizhong Energy Group (15%). Headquartered in Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN), Xiamen Airlines also operates another six bases in Beijing, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, ChangSha, Nanchang and Tianjin. Xiamen Airlines (IATA designator MF) is one of a few airlines operating an all Boeing fleet. Xiamen Airlines operates a total of 116 aircraft, including a mainline of ninety Boeing 737-800 and three brand new Boeing 787-8, with an average airplane service age of 5.3 years. With a network covering Greater China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia, Xiamen Airlines operates to 56 domestic destinations and 13 destinations in Asia Pacific.