A vital connection to Europe and destinations beyond is returning to Edmonton with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offering essential service from Edmonton International Airport (EIA).
After a five month pause, KLM will resume offering its non-stop service from Edmonton to Amsterdam, beginning Oct. 29. The twice weekly service will operate Thursdays and Saturdays with a 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. KLM and EIA worked tirelessly to develop a scenario which adheres to all current health and travel restrictions and provides the Edmonton Metro Region with international access non-stop from Edmonton.
Due to federal restrictions, international flights are still not allowed to land at EIA; however, that restriction only applies to flights arriving to (not departing from) EIA. As such, KLM will implement a circle route that will see it arrive at Calgary International Airport when it returns to Canada, picking up passengers in Calgary, then flying to EIA to pick up Edmonton travelers and then continue non-stop to Amsterdam. KLM will not operate or sell solely the domestic Calgary-Edmonton route.
“Resuming international service is a major priority for us. Service to Amsterdam will help open the world back up for our passengers as well as provide an important cargo route. KLM has been a tremendous partner for EIA and the Edmonton Metro Region and we’re glad to have one of the world’s oldest and top airlines returning to our runways,” said Tom Ruth, CEO and president of Edmonton International Airport.
For travel to Amsterdam and Europe in general, passengers need to know:
• The Netherlands currently has no travel restrictions for Canadians. However, non-essential travel outside of Canada is still not recommended by the Government of Canada.
• Upon returning to Edmonton, travelers will be required to observe a 14-day quarantine under current health guidelines.
• Passenger continuing from Amsterdam and beyond Europe should research what restrictions may be in place in their final destination.
• All returning passengers will arrive in Calgary to clear Canadian Customs and health screening before continuing back to Edmonton.
• The Air France KLM Group has instituted the highest hygiene standards throughout its travel chain, both in-flight and on the ground. Passengers travelling on board KLM are required to wear a mask for the duration of the flight.
EIA’s top priority is and always will be safety and security. This unique flight adheres to all current federal air service regulations. Transport Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Public Health Agency of Canada, and Alberta Health Services were consulted and provided guidance and approval on this operation.
During its five years of service to Edmonton, KLM has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact to Western Canada and has served as a vital link between Europe and Canada. The return of KLM service provides much needed access for essential travelers, cargo and trade connections. Numerous regional businesses have relied on this flight for regular, timely cargo access into Europe over the past five years. KLM’s air service in Edmonton impacts a wide variety of sectors in Alberta and Western Canada including tourism and hospitality, agri-food, oil and gas, technology, logistics and transportation, aerospace/aviation and others. This return shows confidence in Edmonton and will be a pillar in Alberta’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
There are roughly 250 passenger flights a week currently taking place at EIA. Under its "EIA Ready" campaign, airport staff have continued enhanced levels of cleaning that have been in place since March. The airport is also working with partners such as the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) on safety measures such as temperature screening for passengers starting Sept.23, and mandating masks inside the terminal building.
