KLM-Air France Suspend its Ethiopian Operation

KLM-Air France is stopping its operation in Ethiopia starting from March. KLM has been flying to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from its center in Amsterdam sice 2006. KLM has been flying between Amsterdam and Addis three times a week with a stop-over in Khartoum.

Dick Van Nieuwenhuyzen, KLM-Air France country manager for Ethiopia and Sudan said, the airliner decided to stop its Ethiopia operations due to decreasing number of passenger because of fierce competition from other airliners and high operational costs due to fuel price hike.

However, according to Dick, KLM-Air France will maintain its presence in Ethiopia through the representation of Kenya Airways. KLM has  a 26 percent holding in Kenya Airways.

KLM is the fourth international airliner to suspend its operation in Ethiopia. Alitalia, bmi, and South African Airways are among the international carrier  that suspended operation in Ethiopia. Currently there are 13 international carrier  that fly to Ethiopia.

KLM is the flag carrier airline of the Netherlands. KLM's headquarters is in Amstelveen near its hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. KLM operates worldwide scheduled passenger and cargo services to more than 90 destinations. It is the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name.