KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has further strengthened its regional presence in the UK with the start of scheduled flights out of Manston Airport in Kent.

Commencing on April 2nd 2013, the twice-daily flights will connect Manston to KLM’s award-winning hub Schiphol, Amsterdam.

The airline will offer convenient connections to its worldwide network of over 130 destinations from the South East of England.

KLM will operate the new scheduled services twice daily using Fokker 70 jet aircraft, carrying up to 80 passengers.

The flight schedule, which is optimised both for convenient same-day returns to Amsterdam as well as for quick and efficient transfers to its worldwide network.

The launch of the Manston service further cements KLM’s position as the UK’s regional airline of choice.

The carrier now offers 17 departure airports in Great Britain, making it the UK’s largest long haul regional airline.

Henri Hourcade, general manager for Air France/KLM, UK, stated : “Demand for efficient and convenient schedules to long-haul destinations from the UK continues to grow, to emerging markets in Latin America, Africa and the Far East, but equally to established markets such as North America.

“By connecting the UK regions to worldwide destinations, KLM is offering more choice to holidaymakers, but equally adding to the infrastructure for regional UK businesses.”