KLM’s new Exeter-Amsterdam route sees high demand

The global airline KLM says that forward bookings for its flights from Exeter Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol are proving 'extremely promising'.

The new daily service will launch in just under two months on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

Exeter Airport is the nearest airport to Torbay, located approximately a 45-minute drive away.

They say that the eagerly anticipated route will enhance connectivity for the South West, offering travel to Amsterdam and beyond. 

The service is already proving popular with local travellers looking for the convenience of flying from their local airport.

It is also attracting international tourists and business travellers to the region. 

Data from KLM reports a strong inbound demand, with the top 10 visiting countries for bookings being the Netherlands, followed by Germany, Italy, Belgium, the United States, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Finland, and France.

Meanwhile, the top booked destination also goes to the Netherlands.

Other top destinations with short onwards connection times in Amsterdam include Germany, Croatia, Norway, the USA (New York), Italy, France, Sweden, Hungary, Denmark, and Poland.

Hong Kong also ranks among the top booked destinations, offering a short connection for outbound flights and an overnight stay on the return journey.

Above: (Left to right) Steven van Wijk, Commercial Director for UK & Ireland at Air-France-KLM; Stephen Wiltshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport and Jerome Salemi, General Manager for UK & Ireland at Air-France-KLM in December 2024 at the official launch announcement of the new KLM route from Exeter Airport to Amsterdam.

Stephen Wiltshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport, said: “We are delighted with the response to KLM’s new service, which will provide greater choice and connectivity for travellers to and from the South West. The demand we are seeing for both inbound and outbound travel is a testament to the vital role that regional airports play in boosting connectivity for leisure and business, and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board from 30th March.”

Jerome Salemi, General Manager for UK & Ireland at Air France-KLM, added: “The early booking trends are extremely promising, and we are delighted to see such a strong response from both local travellers and international visitors. Amsterdam Schiphol is one of the world’s leading hubs, and this new route reinforces our commitment to providing global connectivity from the UK regions.”

The Amsterdam route is the first time Exeter Airport has served the link in almost five years and a first for KLM from the Devon airport. 

The flight time is around 90 minutes with departures from Amsterdam to Exeter at 16.15 local time and from Exeter to Amsterdam at 17.20 local time, seven days a week. 

Services will be operated by KLM Cityhopper, using an 88-seat Embraer 175 regional jet aircraft. 

Customers will have the option to choose between Economy and Business class, as well as Premium Comfort (Premium Economy) on long-haul intercontinental flights.

Flights from Exeter Airport to Amsterdam with KLM are available to book now at klm.co.uk.