Dutch carrier KLM has purchased more seats on Thalys trains for transfer passengers travelling between Amsterdam and Brussels airports this summer.
A pilot project between the airline and the train company was launched in July 2022 when KLM replaced one of its daily flights between the two cities with a train service.
Following the successful trail, the air-rail initiative will now be extended from 26 March to offer transfers on five different train services.
KLM said that surveys conducted during last year’s pilot scheme showed that travellers were looking for “easier transfers” at Schiphol airport, assistance for passengers’ luggage on rail journeys and better communication. The airline added that these obstacles must be removed before it can permanently replace flights to Brussels with rail travel.
Boet Kreiken, KLM’s executive vice president customer experience, said: “We’re proud to be expanding this air-rail product. We remain fully committed to ensuring a smooth customer journey, making the train an ever-better alternative to air on short‑haul routes in Europe.
“We’re working closely with our partners to achieve the necessary improvements for our customers.”
The airline said it was a “staunch advocate” of the Dutch government’s action plan to improve international train travel as an alternative to flying to six European destinations: Brussels, Paris, London, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Berlin.