Posts

Dave

KLM offers passengers more Thalys seats to and from Brussels

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KLM has purchased additional seats on four Thalys trains for transfer passengers travelling between Amsterdam and Brussels this summer. The extra seats form part of KLM’s efforts to scale down its four daily flights still operated between Amsterdam and Brussels. The extended air/rail product will be available from 26 March.

This capacity expansion follows the KLM-Thalys pilot project (July to October 2022), when the airline replaced one of its daily flights between Amsterdam and Brussels with a rail service.

Starting 26 March, passengers transferring between Amsterdam and Brussels will enjoy more opportunities to travel by rail instead of air on this route, with the integrated air/rail product being offered on five different trains.

KLM is an advocate of the Dutch Action Plan for Rail and Air Services, aimed at improving international train travel as an alternative to flying at six priority destinations (Brussels, Paris, London, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Berlin).

The Action Plan was drawn up in late 2020 by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Dutch rail network operator ProRail, KLM and NS Dutch Railways.

KLM’s approach to sustainability focuses on reducing emissions and noise impact, and the ongoing development of its air/rail product forms part of these efforts.

During the 2022 pilot, customer surveys showed that several improvements were needed such as easier transfers for air/rail passengers at Schiphol, assistance for rail customers with luggage, and communication with customers who are often unfamiliar with Thalys.

The airline claims “these obstacles must be removed before KLM can permanently replace flights to and from Brussels with rail capacity”.

Boet Kreiken, Executive Vice President Customer Experience KLM said,

We’re proud to be expanding this air/rail product.

We remain fully committed to ensuring a smooth customer journey, making the train an ever-better alternative to air on short‑haul routes in Europe.

We’re working closely with our partners to achieve the necessary improvements for our customers.

Paul

Adverse Weather Continuing To Affect Travel In Europe.

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The continued wintry weather in northern Europe continues to impact upon travel. Last night a severe snowstorm brought further travel problems to north-western Europe, with the effects continuing into today (Wednesday 13th March).

Hundreds of flights at Europe’s major airports were affected. Rail services, including cross-Channel Eurostar trains, were not spared from the blizzard-like conditions. Eurostar said it would “operate an amended timetable” on Wednesday, while Thalys said travellers
should expect disruption.

France was the worst affected, however, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and England also reported disruptions to travel. Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports in Paris cancelled up to a quarter of their scheduled flights. 

Frankfurt Airport in Germany re-opened two runways by late Tuesday after being briefly forced to completely close because of the heavy snow. An airport spokesman said 700 flights had been cancelled and warned of more cancellations and delays on Wednesday. Public transport in Berlin was affected with several regional trains cancelled or delayed. In Belgium, the snowstorm caused massive traffic disruptions because of snowdrifts and ice.

Please ensure we have your mobile/cell phone number and email address on file and always remember to checkin online for your flight or Eurostar service. This will help to avoid wasted journeys.

Roll on the summer!