KLM celebrates 60 years of flights between Birmingham and Amsterdam

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is celebrating 60 years of flying between Birmingham and Amsterdam, one of the city's longest-running international air links.

The Dutch airline's first flight between the two cities took place in 1966. Six decades on, it operates up to five flights a day between Birmingham Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, giving passengers from Birmingham onward connections to more than 160 destinations across KLM's worldwide network.

A gateway to the world

For many travellers, the Amsterdam route is less about the Netherlands and more about where you can go next. Changing at Schiphol opens up long-haul journeys that are not available direct from Birmingham.

KLM's booking data for January to August 2026 shows just how varied those journeys are. Aside from the Netherlands, the most popular European destinations booked by local customers were Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The top long-haul destinations were Thailand, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, reflecting both holiday travel and the strong family ties many Birmingham communities have around the world.

Bringing visitors to Birmingham

The route works in both directions. KLM says it supports the local economy and inbound tourism, with the top European visitors coming from the same countries that local travellers fly to. From further afield, the United States, Canada, Accra and Nigeria generate the largest numbers of visitors arriving in Birmingham via Amsterdam.

"A key element of our UK network"

Jerome Salemi, general manager of Air France-KLM UK and Ireland, said: "This significant milestone reflects our long-standing commitment to the Midlands. We are proud to have played a part in connecting the region with the rest of the world, whether travelling for business, exploring new destinations or visiting loved ones.

"Birmingham remains a key element of our UK network, and we look forward to welcoming customers on board for many years to come."

Andrew Pelham, head of airline relations at Birmingham Airport, said: "It is fantastic to be celebrating 60 years of partnership with KLM. The airline has provided Midlands passengers with a direct gateway to Amsterdam and onward travel through its extensive worldwide network of connections. We look forward to building on that success for many years to come."

A busy time for the airport

The anniversary comes during a busy autumn for Birmingham Airport. In recent weeks it has welcomed EgyptAir's first direct flight to Cairo, confirmed new direct flights to Toronto for summer 2027, and launched public consultation on its draft master plan, which sets out up to £2 billion of investment to handle around 30 million passengers a year.

Long-standing routes like Amsterdam are the backbone of that growth. A connection that began in 1966 is still carrying business travellers, holidaymakers and families every day, proof that Birmingham's place on the world map is built over decades, not just years.