This capacity expansion is a follow-up to the pilot that KLM carried out together with Thalys between July and October 2022, in which one daily flight between Brussels and Amsterdam was replaced by the train
Starting this summer, KLM has purchased extra seats on four Thalys trains between Amsterdam and Brussels for transfer customers from Belgium or with destination Belgium. With this, KLM is preparing for further reduction of the four flights per day that we still operate between Amsterdam and Brussels. The expansion of this air/rail product will start on March 26.
This capacity expansion is a follow-up to the pilot that KLM carried out together with Thalys between July and October 2022, in which one daily flight between Brussels and Amsterdam was replaced by the train. As of March 26, transfer passengers to and from Brussels have even more options to travel by train on this route instead of by plane. In total, the integrated air/rail product will soon be offered on five trains to and from Brussels.
Action agenda Train and Aviation
KLM strongly supports the Train and Aviation Action Agenda, which aims to improve international trains as an alternative to aviation at six priority destinations: Brussels, Paris, London, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Berlin. At the end of 2020, this Action Agenda was drawn up by Schiphol, ProRail, KLM and NS. KLM's sustainability approach focuses on reducing emissions and noise. The further development of the air/rail product is part of this.
“We are proud of this expansion of the air/rail product. We remain committed to a smooth customer journey, which will make the train an increasingly better alternative to the plane on shorter routes in Europe. Together with our partners we work on necessary improvements for the customer”.
Evaluation pilot
Customer research during the 2022 pilot showed that a number of improvements are still needed, such as easing the transfer for air/rail travelers at Schiphol, assisting customers with luggage at the train, and communication to the customer; travelers outside Europe are often not familiar with the Thalys. Before KLM can definitively replace flights to and from Brussels with train capacity, these obstacles must be removed. For this they need the cooperation of all partners in the Rail Action Agenda; After all, KLM is not about the trains, the platforms and the airport, according to the airline.
Photo above: KLM image bank.
