Kingfisher goes Dutch – lines up Amsterdam, KLM for hub/code-share agreements

New Delhi: Kingfisher Airlines may soon boast of a formidable Dutch connection, by opting for Amsterdam as the hub for its international operations and Dutch carrier KLM as its code-share partner.

Kingfisher's international operations, due to commence by the first week of September, may very likely operate through Amsterdam's Schiphol airport to provide enhanced connectivity between India, Europe, Africa and North America.

So far, various reports have suggested that Kingfisher may commence international services from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Chennai using a European airport as its hub. Kingfisher is yet to receive government approval for its international operations.

Apart from Amsterdam, Kingfisher Airlines is also likely to firm up another Dutch connection by signing up with Dutch airline KLM (Air France-KLM) for a code share, frequent-flier partnership.

Should the Kingfisher connection materialise, it will be a success for the Dutch Government's initiative in inviting Indian aviation companies to set up their European hub in Amsterdam.

Already, two Indian carriers, Jet Airways and Air India, have made Europe their operational hubs. While Jet operates out of Brussels, Air India has opted for Munich.