It is interesting that KLM expands to all those small UK regional markets whereas in Germany AirFranceKLM has retreated from a lot of those markets. They used to link AMS/CDG with places like FMO, DTM, PAD, BRE, LEJ, but all those flights have disappeared over the past few years. All of them have at least a link to Lufthansa's Munich hub, so the strategy of being the single hub feeding airline from small UK airports that BA no longer serves and that will never be served by the likes of Emirates or Etihad may be a good idea. The question really is if those places can sustain feed even into a single hub like AMS. It will be very interesting to see how MSE works out.

@virginblue - minor correction: BRE is still served up to 4 daily by both KL (F70) and AF (E145). For other mentioned airports you are absolutely right.

Could be quite a coup and a positive achievement if MAG have managed to nab KLM for STN, EMA and BOH, though I believe BHD is to be one of the new routes.

You are absolutely correct - BRE indeed is one of the longest-served routes in the KLM network. I meant DRS (which was served in the 1990s) - although there are rumours that the route may be resurrected in 2013.

Don't suppose there's any chance of them coming back to LPL then? :E

Actually yes :ok::ok: but dose it need them i think not:}

Why doesn't LPL need them?

KLM to extend codeshare with BE
 

In light of EXT, IOM etc now showing on the KLM website airport drop down menu, is this an indication of Flybe extending their codeshare agreement with KLM similar to what is in place with AF?

I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but if you try to book a flight on klm.com from (for example) EXT to a KLM destination, I think you'll find you're offered a connection through CDG with an AF code. The presence of EXT, IOM etc in the airport drop-down seems to be simply a way to sell AF-coded connections too.

The Dutch pilots union agreement with KLM limits to 2 the number of codeshares KLM is allowed with any non-Group/non-alliance airline. This has been a sticking point for quite some time.

Could the presence of GCI and JER on the KLM drop down list show there may be a potential for KLM to codeshare on the new Blue Islands service to AMS

Klms booking engine shows liverpool yet you cant book ait half the other newer ones are via fracne. The rest eg bhd shows errors . Si dont thk klm are bringing any new routs. Keast of all dsa. Though odly huy is no longer bookable it says contact air France

Say again all after "Klms" :ugh:

Haha, Onyx you didn't fly for Balkan in the 70s did you? :}

Sorry that was written. Half asleep on the mobile app last night. Autocorrect seems to have hit as I went to send. It.
What I. Meant was Half the new routes listed say contact airfrance. Liverpool is there but shows errors along with bhd.
As for my last post this galaxy phone is infuriating with its autocorrrct. Even simple words seem to change after they are typed
Apologies for the odd spelling

How about Dundee? The folks at HIAL were making noises a couple of years back that they were lobbying for a route to AMS. Could DND handle a Fokker 70?

Perhaps Dundee could show that routes like Belfast and Birmingham are sustainable before the Govt starts subsidising the airport for flights outside the UK...

Well, places like Manston, Humberside oder Durham Tees Valley do not have domestic routes to Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester or Belfast, but nevertheless a serivce to AMS, so I don't think that domestic services are an indicator whether or not a KLM service would make sense or not.

Durham TV and Humberside both have chemical and oil-related industries nearby which have links to their Dutch equivalents. Manston is an interesting experiment.

Manston has a growing offshore renewable industry in the area, with Ramsgate fast becoming a major port for offshore servicing. I wonder if that had any bearing on KLM's choice?

Which do you think makes the more sense, BA serving Rotterdam or KL serving Manston?

It may actually be quicker if you live in Thanet or East Kent to travel to many destinations via AMS than via LHR, but is the East Kent market large enough to fill the aircraft?