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KLM Royal Dutch Airlines marks 40th anniversary of serving Vancouver International Airport

Kenneth Chan
Kenneth Chan
|
Apr 3 2026, 4:55 pm
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines marks 40th anniversary of serving Vancouver International Airport
First KLM flight at Vancouver International Airport on April 2, 1986. (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines celebrated a major milestone this week, marking 40 years since it first connected Vancouver International Airport (YVR) with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).

The airline commemorated the anniversary with a festive gate event on April 2 at YVR ahead of flight KL 682.

The Vancouver-Amsterdam service began in 1986, the same year the city hosted the Expo ’86 World’s Fair.

Initially operating three weekly DC-10 flights — one of which included a Calgary stopover until 1996 — the route quickly became an important connection between Western Canada and Europe.

Its launch at the time carried particular significance for Canadians of Dutch heritage, offering a direct link to family and cultural roots overseas. It was also a very major addition for YVR at the time, which was a far smaller airport with a small fraction of the passenger volumes it sees today.

The 1980s were a period of major passenger growth for YVR, which led to the need to build a modernized and significantly expanded terminal building in the 1990s.

KLM’s inaugural flight in 1986 was marked by royal presence. Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, accompanied by Pieter van Vollenhoven, traveled on the first flight from Amsterdam to Vancouver. During the visit, Margriet also opened an exhibition of 100 Dutch masterworks at the Vancouver Art Gallery, underscoring the cultural ties between the two nations.

First KLM flight at Vancouver International Airport on April 2, 1986. (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)

First KLM flight at Vancouver International Airport on April 2, 1986. (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)

KLM and YVR officials say the route has played a key role in strengthening economic and cultural links across the Atlantic.

“For 40 years, the Vancouver-Amsterdam route has embodied the unique link between Western Canada and Europe. Our partnership with Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has been instrumental to the development and success of this strategic route, benefiting both business and leisure travellers,” said Jean-Eudes de La Bretèche, country manager for Air France KLM Canada, in a statement.

“We are proud to have connected families, fostered cultural exchange, and encouraged tourism in both directions across the Atlantic.”

KLM Vancouver International Airport 40th anniversary

KLM’s 40th anniversary celebration of serving Vancouver International Airport on April 2, 2026. (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)

KLM aircraft at Vancouver International Airport. (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)

KLM aircraft at Vancouver International Airport. (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)

Russ Atkinson, the director of air service development at Vancouver International Airport, added, “On behalf of YVR, I am thrilled to congratulate KLM on 40 years of service in Vancouver. Our longstanding relationship continues to drive economic benefits for our community and provides travelers with convenient, non-stop access from YVR to Amsterdam and seamless connections across Europe, reinforcing YVR’s role as a global hub.”

Vancouver will see daily KLM service during the peak summer months. Across Canada, where KLM has operated for 76 years, the airline also offers direct flights to Amsterdam from Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Montreal — totalling up to 40 weekly flights.

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