KLM Aims To Have Seven China Destinations In 2011

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines plans increase the number of destinations in China next year to seven from the current six, according to Pieter Elbers, the senior vice president of corporate communications at KLM.

Elbers said that the company will focus on the Chinese market, as part of its strategy to continue to expand its business in Asia.

In May 2010, the carrier launched a non-stop Amsterdam to Hangzhou service, becoming the first airline to offer a direct service between Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province and Europe. This sixth destination in China was aimed to consolidate KLM's position in this fast-growing market.

KLM's six destinations in China are Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Hong Kong.

In the meantime, KLM is seeking to expand its presence in other Asian markets, such as India and Japan. The carrier said that Asia is expected to account for nearly 30% of its seat sales on long-haul flights in the summer of 2011.