Dutch carrier KLM has cut some US flights this winter after the recent addition of mandatory quarantine for travelers coming from the United States. Flights to three major leisure destinations in the US will not operate as planned this winter, as KLM rebukes the latest actions from the Dutch government.
KLM cuts three destinations for the winter
KLM will not fly to Orlando International Airport (MCO), Miami International Airport (MIA), and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) this winter from its hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). All three airports were previously scheduled to receive winter service between October 31st, 2021, and March 26th, 2022.
The airline specifically cited the new quarantine mandate imposed by the Dutch government as the reason it is cutting these flights. In fact, the airline issued a sharp rebuke to the decision, stating the following:
“Health and fighting COVID-19 are paramount but the measures taken must be effective and proportionate. It looks like other EU member states, such as Italy, France and Belgium are not putting a triple lock on the door for travelers from the US.”
New travel restrictions for the Netherlands
In an update on Friday, the Dutch government announced that the US would be added as a very high-risk area with relation to COVID-19. The move brings new restrictions for travelers from the United States.
People traveling from the US will only be able to enter the Netherlands if they are fully vaccinated or fall into one of the exemption categories for the European Union (EU) entry ban. The EU previously removed the US from its safe travel list. In addition to being fully vaccinated, arrivals must quarantine for 10 days as of September 4th. Passengers may be able to shorten their quarantine period with a test on day five.
KLM’s US network
The United States is one of KLM’s most important markets. The airline flies to major destinations in the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston. It operates flights in conjunction with its major US partner, Delta Air Lines. The two airlines have a joint venture agreement that also includes Virgin Atlantic and Air France.
KLM’s passengers will continue to be able to travel to Miami, Orlando, and Las Vegas. However, these passengers will now need to connect in a Delta hub like Atlanta or New York. The airline is expecting to see significantly reduced demand for as long as the travel restrictions remain in effect, which works heavily against leisure travelers that make up the bulk of the airline’s services to these three cities.
Orlando was supposed to be a new destination for KLM. Operated as part of a triangle Amsterdam-Miami-Orlando-Amsterdam route, KLM was taking over a route previously flown by Delta Air Lines with the Orlando-Amsterdam connection.
KLM may need to reduce frequencies to other destinations in response to the recent moves from the Netherlands. However, if connecting demand remains strong for flights to the rest of Europe, some destinations could stay with higher frequencies. This is especially true for major cities and Delta hubs.
Nevertheless, KLM is certainly displeased with the recent moves by the Dutch government. While it has removed flights to Miami, Orlando, and Las Vegas for the winter, they may come back in a future season, or sooner, if the Netherlands changes its policies and demand warrants it.
What do you think about KLM cutting three US destinations? Let us know in the comments!
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