MONROVIA, Montserrado – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has made its first flight to Liberia after it ceased operations to the country nearly three decades ago.
The Netherlands-based airline last flew to Liberia in early 1990, prior to the country’s civil war, which lasted 14 years.
Inaugural flight KL511 landed at the Roberts International Airport at 21:55 on Sunday and departed for Amsterdam at 23:30.
It now adds to the myriad passenger airlines flying to RIA, which includes Air Cote d’Ivoire, Brussels Airlines, Air Maroc, Arik Air, Kenya Airways, and Med View Airline.
According to the revised flight guide of the airport, the airline will now travel to RIA three days a week: Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday.
The airline operates worldwide for various destinations and also offers cargo services.
Meanwhile, the airline has promised that the new operation would serve to further expand its African network. Front Page Africa quotes KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers, as saying with additional destinations to Liberia and Sierra Leone, the company would be serving 13 destinations in Africa.
“In this way, we will strengthen our position in Africa considerably and offer our passengers an even greater choice,” Elbers said.
He said flights to Freetown and Monrovia will be in Airbus 330-200s, which can seat 267 passengers. Flight KL0511 will depart on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 2:35 p.m. from Amsterdam and arrive in Freetown at 7:30 p.m. local time. After a short layover, it will continue on at 8:40 p.m. to Monrovia and arrives at 9:55 p.m. local time. The return flight will depart from Monrovia at 11:20 p.m. and arrive in Amsterdam at 8:10 a.m., Elbers added.
KLM’s network expansion in Africa places the airline in competition with Brussels Airlines, which has a considerable presence on the continent.
The management of the RIA has yet to make any official comment on the latest development. However, Liberians have welcomed the decision of the airline to restore its flying route to the country.
“KLM served this country before the war, so coming back to me indicates that Liberia is now a nation of peace and liberty,†said Sharon George, a business owner in Liberia.
Isaac Flomo, a former taxi driver at the RIA, said the airline’s return will increase the government’s revenue and boost local businesses at the airport.
“I am so happy for this new development,†Flomo said.
Many frequent fliers to Liberia will be watching to see whether the increased competition will push ticket prices down. For now, KLM’s arrival has not made any noticeable change to fares.
Feature photo courtesy of Ebenezer Wilson
