KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is celebrating 80 years of flights between Glasgow and Amsterdam after first launching the route from Renfrew Airport in 1946.
The airline’s first flight from Scotland took place on 29th July 1946, when a chartered DC-3 Scottish Airlines aircraft departed from Renfrew Airport, then Glasgow’s main airport, before landing later that afternoon at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
The inaugural flight carried Scottish products as well as a gift for the Mayor of Amsterdam, marking the close ties between Scotland and the Netherlands.
When Glasgow Airport opened at Abbotsinch in 1966, KLM transferred its services from Renfrew Airport. The airline has continued operating the route since then.
Today, KLM operates up to four flights a day between Glasgow Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The service gives passengers access to more than 160 destinations across the airline’s worldwide network.
Booking data from the past 12 months shows the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France and Poland were the most popular European destinations from Glasgow. Outside Europe, the United States, South Africa, China, Nigeria and Canada were the most popular.
The data also shows travellers from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Denmark and Norway were among the biggest European visitors flying into Glasgow. From outside Europe, the United States, China, Canada, Korea and South Africa topped the list.
Passengers can travel in Economy, Business Class and Premium Comfort on long-haul services. KLM has also introduced free Wi-Fi on European flights.
Jerome Salemi, General Manager Air France-KLM UK & Ireland, said: “Reaching 80 years of service on this route highlights KLM’s long-standing commitment to Glasgow and Scotland over the decades. Whether travelling for business, to explore new destinations or to visit loved ones, we are proud to have been part of so many journeys, and we look forward to welcoming more customers on board our flights for many years to come.”
Gavin Birch-Williams, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, added: “We are delighted to join KLM in celebrating 80 years of connecting Glasgow with Amsterdam and the wider world. As Glasgow Airport celebrates 60 years at its current site in 2026, it is especially fitting to recognise an airline that has been part of Glasgow’s aviation story for even longer. We congratulate KLM on this significant anniversary and look forward to building on our successful partnership for many years to come.”
Headline photo: KLM is marking 80 years since its first flight between Renfrew Airport and Amsterdam.
Photo Credit : Chris James / Glasgow Airport