KLM Celebrates 80 Years of Connectivity Between Glasgow and Amsterdam

Glasgow, UK – 29 July 2026 – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is proud to celebrate 80 years of services between Glasgow and Amsterdam, marking eight decades of connecting Scotland with the Netherlands and the rest of the world.

KLM’s first flight from Scotland took place on 29 July 1946, when a chartered DC-3 Scottish Airlines aircraft departed from Renfrew Airport – Glasgow’s principal airport at the time – and landed later that afternoon at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The inaugural service carried several Scottish national products on board, along with a gift for the Mayor of Amsterdam, symbolising the close ties between Scotland and the Netherlands.

Since those first flights, KLM has continued to strengthen its presence in Scotland. Following the opening of the current Glasgow Airport in 1966, services transferred from Renfrew Airport and have continued to play an important role in connecting Scottish travellers with destinations across the globe.

Today, KLM operates up to 4 daily flights between Glasgow Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, providing customers with convenient onward connections to KLM’s worldwide network of more than 160 destinations.  

KLM booking data from the past 12 months showcase the demand for a diverse network from and to Glasgow. The airline not only enables outbound travel but also contributes to the local economy, inbound tourism and cultural connections.

Top destinations from Glasgow

• To Europe: Netherlands; Germany; Italy; France; Poland
• To the rest of the world: USA; South Africa; China; Nigeria; Canada

Top visiting countries to Glasgow

• From Europe: Netherlands; Germany; Italy; Denmark; Norway
• From the rest of the world: USA; China; Canada; Korea; South Africa

Whatever the destination or the point of origin, travellers can choose between Economy and Business Class, with the addition of Premium Comfort (Premium Economy) on long haul flights. While KLM is renown as being the oldest airline operating under its original name, it continues to develop its product and services. One of the latest developments appreciated by its customers has been the roll out of free WiFi on European flights, since the beginning of the year.

Jerome Salemi, General Manager Air France-KLM UK & Ireland, said:

“Reaching 80 years of service on this route highlights KLM’s long-standing commitment to Glasgow and Scotland over the decades. Whether travelling for business, to explore new destinations or to visit loved ones, we are proud to have been part of so many journeys, and we look forward to welcoming more customers on board our flights for many years to come.”

Gavin Birch-Williams, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, added: “We are delighted to join KLM in celebrating 80 years of connecting Glasgow with Amsterdam and the wider world. As Glasgow Airport celebrates 60 years at its current site in 2026, it is especially fitting to recognise an airline that has been part of Glasgow’s aviation story for even longer. We congratulate KLM on this significant anniversary and look forward to building on our successful partnership for many years to come.”