Air France is increasing its service to the French Overseas Departments.

This summer, the company will operate flights between the French Caribbean
(Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe and Fort-de-France in Martinique), French Guiana (Cayenne) and Reunion Island (Saint-Denis de La Réunion) and Paris-
Charles de Gaulle, in addition to its frequencies to and from Paris-Orly
...
Flight schedule –2021 summer season:

To/from Pointe-à-Pitre: 18 weekly direct flights

11 weekly direct flights on departure from Paris-Orly
7 weekly direct flights on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle
To/from Fort-de-France: 14 weekly direct flights

7 weekly direct flights on departure from Paris-Orly
7 weekly direct flights on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle
To/from Cayenne: 10 weekly direct flights

7 weekly direct flights on departure from Paris-Orly
3 weekly direct flights on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays as from 2 April 2021
To/from Saint-Denis de La Réunion: 14 weekly direct flights

7 weekly direct flights on departure from Paris-Orly
7 weekly direct flights on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle as from 6 April 2021
Flights will be operated by Boeing 777-200 and -300 equipped with Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabin...

VSMUT wrote:

What is the status of the first Cityhopper E2? With EIS in March, the first aircraft should leave assembly soon, shouldn't it?

mercure1 wrote:

One of the issues regarding recapitalization talks is the Dutch government quit, and caretaker might not be willing to make moves prior to March general election.

bennett123 wrote:

Which aircraft are likely to be parked as a result.

I assume that cargo flights will also be affected.

FlyingHonu001 wrote:

bennett123 wrote:

Which aircraft are likely to be parked as a result.

I assume that cargo flights will also be affected.

Long-haul are all widebody aircraft, meaning the entire intercontinental fleet could be grounded.

Following news reports in various media that KLM would stop all ICA (Intercontinental) flights as of Friday, we immediately contacted KLM for clarification. As an employee organization but also as cabin colleagues, we had heard nothing about this from KLM itself.

According to KLM, there is a nuance, namely that the management is currently trying to convince the government (read the House of Representatives) that an exception for the crew on the antigen (quick) test from foreign destinations is necessary to operate the ICA flights.

If the government isnt willing to make an exception, KLM is indeed forced to keep the ICA fleet grounded for the time being. KLM wants to avoid the risk that crew members who test positive will have to be left behind at destinations worldwide and at various destinations in Europe. This applies to both passenger and cargo flights.

An exception is therefore of great importance for our work as cabin crew and for the continued existence of KLM and we can only hope that the parties in the House of Representatives see it that way.

me89 wrote:

Anyone any insights on the below article on Luchtvaartnieuws.nl? Apparently KLM is under pressure to buy A32Xneos as a narrowbody replacement instead of the more obvious MAX choice. Unfortunately the article is behind a paywall so don't know what it says or what their sources are....

https://luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/cate ... bij-airbus

airbuster wrote:

me89 wrote:

Anyone any insights on the below article on Luchtvaartnieuws.nl? Apparently KLM is under pressure to buy A32Xneos as a narrowbody replacement instead of the more obvious MAX choice. Unfortunately the article is behind a paywall so don't know what it says or what their sources are....

https://luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/cate ... bij-airbus

Basically France pushing AFKL holding to order more Airbus after all the capital they invested and tend to invest in AFKL.

inkjet7 wrote:

airbuster wrote:

me89 wrote:

Anyone any insights on the below article on Luchtvaartnieuws.nl? Apparently KLM is under pressure to buy A32Xneos as a narrowbody replacement instead of the more obvious MAX choice. Unfortunately the article is behind a paywall so don't know what it says or what their sources are....

https://luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/cate ... bij-airbus

Basically France pushing AFKL holding to order more Airbus after all the capital they invested and tend to invest in AFKL.

An order for one type of plane would also raise the number to be ordered which might give the group as a whole a better deal as well. Transition costs would fall at the KL side though.

FlyingHonu001 wrote:

Interesting statement from trade union for KL cabin crew

Following news reports in various media that KLM would stop all ICA (Intercontinental) flights as of Friday, we immediately contacted KLM for clarification. As an employee organization but also as cabin colleagues, we had heard nothing about this from KLM itself.

According to KLM, there is a nuance, namely that the management is currently trying to convince the government (read the House of Representatives) that an exception for the crew on the antigen (quick) test from foreign destinations is necessary to operate the ICA flights.

If the government isnt willing to make an exception, KLM is indeed forced to keep the ICA fleet grounded for the time being. KLM wants to avoid the risk that crew members who test positive will have to be left behind at destinations worldwide and at various destinations in Europe. This applies to both passenger and cargo flights.

An exception is therefore of great importance for our work as cabin crew and for the continued existence of KLM and we can only hope that the parties in the House of Representatives see it that way.

So to be continued...

Translated from source: https://vnconline.nl/actueel/media-lope ... -klm-zaken

VSMUT wrote:

What is the status of the first Cityhopper E2? With EIS in March, the first aircraft should leave assembly soon, shouldn't it?

sabby wrote:

Anymore update on this ? I am supposed to fly KLM in a few days Even if the crews do get exception, how do KLM make sure all the airports they operate will have this rapid antigen testing facility ? The 4 hours timeline kind of mandates to have the testing facility inside the airport and since the rest of Schengen countries are not enforcing this, only KLM would suffer from this.

Long-haul KLM flights departing as scheduled on Friday

KLM's first long-haul flights departed according to schedule on Friday morning, despite an earlier warning that flying was not possible. Short flights will also continue in a normal manner for the time being. The airline previously warned that by introducing a mandatory corona test for travelers and crew, virtually no flights can take place from Friday.

In the meantime, KLM is working behind the scenes on the 'immense logistics puzzle' when a mandatory corona rapid test applies from Saturday to crew members, before heading back to Amsterdam.

The airline previously warned that by introducing a mandatory corona test for travelers and crew, virtually no flights can proceed from Friday. If flight personnel are also required to undergo a rapid test, the airline runs the risk that employees will have to be left behind. KLM has already indicated that it will not leave crews abroad for reasons of good employment practices. The airline expects to be able to provide more clarity about logistics later on Friday.

CFRPwingALbody wrote:

In the Netherlands lockdown measures are increased because the decline in infections isn't fast enough. Besides the treat of mutated variants with higher infection rates means the current decline could very easily transition into an increase again. For more that a decade spending on our healthcare capacity has decreased, thus now the capacity (workforce) is to limited.
So Saturday onwards for at least four weeks:
- One instead of two visitor per day, are permitted for each hosehold.
- For the first time there will be a night clock, only with valid reason (medical, work, walking a dog) you're allowed to go outside between 21:00 and 4:30.
- For travelers to the Netherlands (including crew members) both a negative PCR and fast-test are required.
So the addition of a negative fast corona test is part of a larger increase in anti-corona measures.

AFAIK KLM and the whole of Schiphol up untill now still supported a lot of flights compared to other European airports (30% instead of 20% of 2019 levels). In my opinion KLM and other Dutch airlines should play their part in the anti-corona measures, so don't complain. I fear (and actually expect the Aviation/travel industry to be such stupid) that Q3/Q4 2021 will be the same as this period in 2020. Because of better weather in Europe the infection rates in Q2 are low. Corona was nearly gone in the Netherlands in July2020. Because many morons needed their vacation, they imported the corona virus again.
Also there isn't any evidence that a vaccinated person can't carry the corona virus, and infect others. So no vaccination passport.
If the aviation industry wants any recovery in about 2022, they should restrict themselves this year.

A steward arranged a partition to exempt crew from the negative fast-test rule. I say NO.
Continue like this Dutch aviation industry and you're support packages might be revoked.

Senti69 wrote:

PH-NXA scheduled for delivery mid feb. First routes are scheduled beginning of March.

FlyingHonu001 wrote:

sabby wrote:

Anymore update on this ? I am supposed to fly KLM in a few days Even if the crews do get exception, how do KLM make sure all the airports they operate will have this rapid antigen testing facility ? The 4 hours timeline kind of mandates to have the testing facility inside the airport and since the rest of Schengen countries are not enforcing this, only KLM would suffer from this.

KL Intercontinental as of today still flying, read below. If things do not get solved, disruptions might be possible from Satuday onwards also because of the latest curfew restrictions.

Translated from local news outlet: https://www.parool.nl/nieuws

Long-haul KLM flights departing as scheduled on Friday

KLM's first long-haul flights departed according to schedule on Friday morning, despite an earlier warning that flying was not possible. Short flights will also continue in a normal manner for the time being. The airline previously warned that by introducing a mandatory corona test for travelers and crew, virtually no flights can take place from Friday.

In the meantime, KLM is working behind the scenes on the 'immense logistics puzzle' when a mandatory corona rapid test applies from Saturday to crew members, before heading back to Amsterdam.

The airline previously warned that by introducing a mandatory corona test for travelers and crew, virtually no flights can proceed from Friday. If flight personnel are also required to undergo a rapid test, the airline runs the risk that employees will have to be left behind. KLM has already indicated that it will not leave crews abroad for reasons of good employment practices. The airline expects to be able to provide more clarity about logistics later on Friday.

Extra travel restrictions

Every journey a person makes increases the chance of causing more infections or of bringing new variants of coronavirus into the Netherlands. For this reason, the government has issued a strict travel advisory: do not travel abroad and do not book any trips abroad in the period up to and including 31 March 2021.

The government is introducing extra measures to prevent new variants of the virus being imported via travellers and to further restrict the number of travel movements. A ban on flights from the United Kingdom and a docking ban for ferries from the United Kingdom is in force. A flight ban is also in force for passenger flights from the following other countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. At present the flight ban is expected to remain in force for one month, or until planned legislation on mandatory quarantine rules for travellers is in place.

In addition, all passengers travelling to the Netherlands by air or sea from high-risk areas must be able to produce a negative result of a rapid COVID-19 test performed shortly before their departure. The test must not have been performed more than four hours prior to boarding the aircraft or ship. This requirement is in addition to the existing mandatory negative test result for a PCR test performed no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands. These measures also apply to people travelling to the Caribbean parts of the Netherlands. What is more, travellers must self-quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the Netherlands. After five days they can get tested. If the result of this PCR test is negative they may end their self-quarantine. Since rapid test facilities are not available near all ports and airports, the government expects that the double-test requirement will reduce the amount of travel to the Netherlands. As a result it may be difficult for some people to get home. Dutch nationals who have a compelling reason to travel to the Netherlands and cannot produce a negative PCR and rapid test result in time should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For travellers from countries outside the EU, a travel ban has been in force since March 2020. The government has decided to reduce the number of exemptions from this ban. As a result, business travellers, students, highly-skilled migrants, professionals from the cultural and creative sectors and people in long-distance romantic relationships wishing to travel to the Netherlands for a short period will no longer be granted entry.

These measures will take effect on Saturday 23 January 2021 at 00.01.

CFRPwingALbody wrote:

The Dutch government wants to restrict international travel. link rijksoverheid 20 jan.
Here the aviation travel related part of the Dutch government news release.

Extra travel restrictions

Every journey a person makes increases the chance of causing more infections or of bringing new variants of coronavirus into the Netherlands. For this reason, the government has issued a strict travel advisory: do not travel abroad and do not book any trips abroad in the period up to and including 31 March 2021.

The government is introducing extra measures to prevent new variants of the virus being imported via travellers and to further restrict the number of travel movements. A ban on flights from the United Kingdom and a docking ban for ferries from the United Kingdom is in force. A flight ban is also in force for passenger flights from the following other countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. At present the flight ban is expected to remain in force for one month, or until planned legislation on mandatory quarantine rules for travellers is in place.

In addition, all passengers travelling to the Netherlands by air or sea from high-risk areas must be able to produce a negative result of a rapid COVID-19 test performed shortly before their departure. The test must not have been performed more than four hours prior to boarding the aircraft or ship. This requirement is in addition to the existing mandatory negative test result for a PCR test performed no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands. These measures also apply to people travelling to the Caribbean parts of the Netherlands. What is more, travellers must self-quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the Netherlands. After five days they can get tested. If the result of this PCR test is negative they may end their self-quarantine. Since rapid test facilities are not available near all ports and airports, the government expects that the double-test requirement will reduce the amount of travel to the Netherlands. As a result it may be difficult for some people to get home. Dutch nationals who have a compelling reason to travel to the Netherlands and cannot produce a negative PCR and rapid test result in time should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For travellers from countries outside the EU, a travel ban has been in force since March 2020. The government has decided to reduce the number of exemptions from this ban. As a result, business travellers, students, highly-skilled migrants, professionals from the cultural and creative sectors and people in long-distance romantic relationships wishing to travel to the Netherlands for a short period will no longer be granted entry.

These measures will take effect on Saturday 23 January 2021 at 00.01.

So basicly don't travel internationally unless it's really necessary.
In my opinion the negative PCR & fast-test (antigen test) should also be manditory for all outbound travel from Dutch airports. (We are an area with high risk for Covid-19 infection. So test to prevent spreading Covid to low risk area's)

thaiflyer wrote:

For the time being I flying via Frankfurt.

thaiflyer wrote:

Sounds like that lot of people in the government are forgetting the people again who don't have a choice and have to travel.

inkjet7 wrote:

airbuster wrote:

me89 wrote:

Anyone any insights on the below article on Luchtvaartnieuws.nl? Apparently KLM is under pressure to buy A32Xneos as a narrowbody replacement instead of the more obvious MAX choice. Unfortunately the article is behind a paywall so don't know what it says or what their sources are....

https://luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/cate ... bij-airbus

Basically France pushing AFKL holding to order more Airbus after all the capital they invested and tend to invest in AFKL.

An order for one type of plane would also raise the number to be ordered which might give the group as a whole a better deal as well. Transition costs would fall at the KL side though.

sabby wrote:

Anymore update on this ? I am supposed to fly KLM in a few days

Even if the crews do get exception, how do KLM make sure all the airports they operate will have this rapid antigen testing facility ? The 4 hours timeline kind of mandates to have the testing facility inside the airport and since the rest of Schengen countries are not enforcing this, only KLM would suffer from this.

...KLM's planes arrivedat Groningen Airport Eelde. The first arrived at 9.51 am, the second arrived fifteen minutes later.

Due to the corona crisis, the airline is flying with less capacity. KLM would like to park the aircraft on Dutch soil, which is why Groningen Airport Eelde was chosen.

A total of six aircraft land today. Three countries there before 10.30am. The other three come between 2:50 PM and 3:20 PM. Another five will come on Monday and Tuesday too. In total, it concerns sixteen aircraft...

FlyingHonu001 wrote:

Source from local news outlet: https://www.rtvdrenthe.nl/nieuws/166898 ... port-Eelde

Jetty wrote:

They don't, at least not everywhere or not yet. It''s the passengers own responsibility. I imagine KL will stop flying to destinations where this test isn't available (yet).

panamair wrote:

Jetty wrote:

They don't, at least not everywhere or not yet. It''s the passengers own responsibility. I imagine KL will stop flying to destinations where this test isn't available (yet).

The issue is the rapid test within 4 hours of departure. Doesn't that essentially eliminate the entire bank of early KL flights from either AMS or from the rest of Europe to AMS? Many of KL's short haul from other European cities leaves between 6 and 7am in order to arrive AMS between 8 and 9 so they can connect to a whole slew of KL and DL intercontinental flights leaving between 0945 and 1100. Which city/airport has rapid testing available for 24 hours (since the window for the rapid test for a 7am departure is from 3am to 7am)?

Jetty wrote:

panamair wrote:

Jetty wrote:

They don't, at least not everywhere or not yet. It''s the passengers own responsibility. I imagine KL will stop flying to destinations where this test isn't available (yet).

The issue is the rapid test within 4 hours of departure. Doesn't that essentially eliminate the entire bank of early KL flights from either AMS or from the rest of Europe to AMS? Many of KL's short haul from other European cities leaves between 6 and 7am in order to arrive AMS between 8 and 9 so they can connect to a whole slew of KL and DL intercontinental flights leaving between 0945 and 1100. Which city/airport has rapid testing available for 24 hours (since the window for the rapid test for a 7am departure is from 3am to 7am)?

Planes departing from Amsterdam don't matter as the requirement is only for inbound passengers. For inbound traffic from where no testing possibility exists the test will be accommodated at the airport or flights will be cancelled. I checked the first inbound flight from Europe planned tomorrow out of curiosity, and PRG does indeed provide the test and adjusted opening times. https://www.prg.aero/en/alert-passenger ... am-flights

mercure1 wrote:

Brexit is causing some interesting problems for customers.

For example now citizens from multiple nations(list below) that travel to/from UK to require to obtain reintroduced airport transit visa for airports in EU.

This seem to be impacting AF/KL the most on routes to Africa (such as Nigeria) that historically saw strong demand from the UK.

(Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Syria, Palestinians, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Sri Lanka.)

AlexanderSosnin wrote:

mercure1 wrote:

Brexit is causing some interesting problems for customers.

For example now citizens from multiple nations(list below) that travel to/from UK to require to obtain reintroduced airport transit visa for airports in EU.

This seem to be impacting AF/KL the most on routes to Africa (such as Nigeria) that historically saw strong demand from the UK.

(Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Syria, Palestinians, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Sri Lanka.)

Russia is not actually in the list. It would be very strange if it was. But, anyway, the rule is absolutely crazy and it will definitely have a negative impact on KLM transit traffic.

Westerwaelder wrote:

AlexanderSosnin wrote:

mercure1 wrote:

Brexit is causing some interesting problems for customers.

For example now citizens from multiple nations(list below) that travel to/from UK to require to obtain reintroduced airport transit visa for airports in EU.

This seem to be impacting AF/KL the most on routes to Africa (such as Nigeria) that historically saw strong demand from the UK.

(Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Syria, Palestinians, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Sri Lanka.)

Russia is not actually in the list. It would be very strange if it was. But, anyway, the rule is absolutely crazy and it will definitely have a negative impact on KLM transit traffic.

This rule is anything but crazy. The UK refused to be part of Schengen and has now left the EU. Travel into the EU from third countries has always been subject to stricter regulations than travel from inside the EU.

Blerg wrote:

Westerwaelder wrote:

AlexanderSosnin wrote:

Russia is not actually in the list. It would be very strange if it was. But, anyway, the rule is absolutely crazy and it will definitely have a negative impact on KLM transit traffic.

This rule is anything but crazy. The UK refused to be part of Schengen and has now left the EU. Travel into the EU from third countries has always been subject to stricter regulations than travel from inside the EU.

It is crazy because it won't change anything, all it will do is redirect passengers to other hubs such as Casablanca, Istanbul, Addis Ababa and even Tunis.

Blerg wrote:

Westerwaelder wrote:

AlexanderSosnin wrote:

Russia is not actually in the list. It would be very strange if it was. But, anyway, the rule is absolutely crazy and it will definitely have a negative impact on KLM transit traffic.

This rule is anything but crazy. The UK refused to be part of Schengen and has now left the EU. Travel into the EU from third countries has always been subject to stricter regulations than travel from inside the EU.

It is crazy because it won't change anything, all it will do is redirect passengers to other hubs such as Casablanca, Istanbul, Addis Ababa and even Tunis.

Blerg wrote:

It is crazy because it won't change anything, all it will do is redirect passengers to other hubs such as Casablanca, Istanbul, Addis Ababa and even Tunis.

Jetty wrote:

sabby wrote:

Anymore update on this ? I am supposed to fly KLM in a few days

Today it's been decided that crews are exempt. https://www.nu.nl/economie/6108002/lang ... gtuig.html (Dutch)

Even if the crews do get exception, how do KLM make sure all the airports they operate will have this rapid antigen testing facility ? The 4 hours timeline kind of mandates to have the testing facility inside the airport and since the rest of Schengen countries are not enforcing this, only KLM would suffer from this.

They don't, at least not everywhere or not yet. It''s the passengers own responsibility. I imagine KL will stop flying to destinations where this test isn't available (yet). I wouldn't be surprised if other European countries will follow, a one time test isn't much assurance at all and many people have been known to affect others after just a negative PCR taken up to 72h ahead of a flight. With the UK flight ban The Netherlands was first as well and all EU countries followed suit in a few days.

Jetty wrote:

Blerg wrote:

Westerwaelder wrote:

This rule is anything but crazy. The UK refused to be part of Schengen and has now left the EU. Travel into the EU from third countries has always been subject to stricter regulations than travel from inside the EU.

It is crazy because it won't change anything, all it will do is redirect passengers to other hubs such as Casablanca, Istanbul, Addis Ababa and even Tunis.

Prime responsibility of the Dutch government is the Corona situation in The Netherlands. From that perspective people with Corona transferring at other airports changes a lot. AMS is also the only option left for many citypairs, Tunis will rarely be an alternative.

readytotaxi wrote:

Curious, there is a KLM 777 running CPT-DAR, is this a regular thing.

https://www.flightradar24.com/KLM526/26a9404a

readytotaxi wrote:

Curious, there is a KLM 777 running CPT-DAR, is this a regular thing.

https://www.flightradar24.com/KLM526/26a9404a

VSMUT wrote:

What is the status of the first Cityhopper E2? With EIS in March, the first aircraft should leave assembly soon, shouldn't it?