KLM flights will be operated in Teheran

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will resume service to the Iranian capital of Tehran from 30 October 2016. This will be the 14th new destination KLM has added to its network in 2016. Four weekly services will be operated between Schiphol and Tehran, supplementing the Paris-Tehran service operated by Air France since 16 April 2016.

The first flight was welcomed Imam Khomeini international Airport of Tehran on Saturday night, said a report in IRNA. KLM managing director and chief operating officer René de Groot said that lifting Western sanctions on Tehran and resuming flights between Iran and Netherlands can help increase the knowledge of Dutch people about Iranian market.

Pieter Elbers, KLM President & CEO, declares that: KLM has further strengthened its network with a new destination – the 14th to be added this year. This confirms that our strategy is starting to bear fruit. On the one hand we are improving our efficiency and productivity, while on the other we are investing in growth.”

The flights will be operated with a Boeing 777-200 in a three-class configuration with 34 business seats, 40 seats in economy comfort and 242 seats in economy. KLM operated services to Tehran from July 1991 until it suspended the route in April 2013. Airline officials said at the time of stopping the route that the decision was based on economic rather than political reasons. Including the new flights to Tehran, KLM now offers 37 flights to nine destinations in the Middle East.

Several international airlines are resuming flights to Iran to tap into increasing opportunities in the country after the recent lifting sanctions. British Airways also resumed direct flights to Iranian capital Tehran from July 14. The airline now operates a six-time weekly service and will move to daily flights from winter 2016, it said.