codfather

This route has been in existence for quite a while now, and is actually the only TATL out of YEG now (has been for a few years).

KLM seems to have a big presence in Alberta. Can someone provide an explanation for this? Obviously I love to see it, but I also find it surprising that airlines like Lufthansa and BA have reduced (or suspended) operations in Alberta while KLM seems to have grown!

LondonElite

Amsterdam is HQ for Royal Dutch Shell?

codfather

Well, that would explain it! Lol

johan rebel

The Hague is.

Johan

LondonElite

Mea culpa

splflyer

Alberta has many Dutch (farmers) O/D traffic and oil and gas YYC has additionally WESTJET hub, thus connections even during Corona times might be available.
YEG also as most of Canada ( except YUL ) has a large Indian community - lots of traffic YEG-AMS-India o/d travel

asovse1

An acquaintance of mine is a FA on this route. On the times they've flown (usually weekends and Wednesday), the route was generally full.

No idea on profitability, but since it's YEG's only TATL, I would imagine it would be placed a higher premium for all those one-stop European connections.

irishguy28

Ah yes - farmers, that renowned jet-setting class!

tbaiyun

I was invited to the inaugural event in YEG, back in May 2015 I think. On the event, KLM clearly said they would like to thank Royal Dutch Shell and Alberta government. They offered a draw to win 2 R/T tickets to Europe that night and I think someone from Shell got it... Did meet a lot of personnel and managers from KL and DL, and surprised to see how closely they worked together (ticketing office, Sky Bonus, complaint handling).

Later that year I took the flight in June, the flight (A332) was around 70% full for a weekend flight. I had two seats in a row in Economy Comfort. I personally believe there shall be financial funds from the AB government and a contract between Shell and KLM to reserve a certain amount of seats on the AMS-YEG route otherwise this route may not sustain.

PS: >30% of the time this route has promo award in J, mostly 50% discount, very attractive but unfortunately, I have moved back to the east later that year though.

EuropeanPete

Dutch farmers deliver the highest productivity in the world and have been quite successful recently in consulting overseas to help drive up productivity elsewhere. While I think that oil is a somewhat more likely response, Dutch farmers in general are pretty jet-setting. And pretty loaded.

johan rebel

And not only Dutch ones. I've met some really affluent farmers. Admittedly they all diversified once they had enough dough, sensibly spreading their investments beyond farming. And yes, they must have been jet-setting, or else I would not have met them. Also, in some countries many farms have private airstrips, and farmers do a lot of flying in GA aircraft.

Johan

Fabo.sk

hmm. YEG-RTM? Shame there is no more Ypenburg, that would have been really local!