One of Europe’s largest airline groups, Air France KLM, is to commence operations from Northern Ireland.

George Best Belfast City Airport is the only airport in the UK or Ireland included in expansion plans announced today by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines who will commence a daily service to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport from May 2015.

Connectivity from Northern Ireland to South America, the Middle East and the Far East will be further strengthened through KLM’s membership of the SkyTeam Alliance along with international airlines such as Air France, Alitalia, China Southern Airlines, Aeroflot, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Czech Airlines and Saudia.

Belfast City Airport commercial director, Katy Best, said: “Attracting an airline such as KLM to Northern Ireland, is a major win for the airport, tourism within the region and local businesses who will benefit from KLM’s worldwide network.

“KLM places significant emphasis on customer service and offers a product that is flexible, comfortable and desirable for each and every passenger making the airline a perfect fit for Belfast City Airport where continuously enhancing the passenger experience remains a priority.”

With imports of goods from the Netherlands increasing in recent years and the country being one of the largest export markets in the EU for Northern Ireland manufacturers, this route ensures daily connectivity with major export and business markets identified by Invest Northern Ireland.

Seats on the Belfast City–Schiphol route are on sale today.