With a small homebase from which to work, KLM has maintained an international orientation since its beginning. KLM's strength lies in the tightly-knit, worldwide network it has built up with its partners, most notably, Air France. This network links just about every important economic region in the world with the Netherlands, and with each other. Passengers can transfer quickly and easily at Schiphol, KLM's Homebase, and cargo can be transported easily from here to just about any destination.

The Added Value of Alliances

The majority of transfer passengers at Schiphol fly with KLM or one of its partners. Thanks to international aviation alliances, in which a variety of airlines work together, these companies are able to link their networks efficiently. KLM and Air France are members of the SkyTeam alliance, which comprises eleven airlines. The alliance accounts for more than 16,000 flights every day to just under 850 destinations worldwide.

New destinations

The modern traveler and freight company wants as much flexibility as possible and a range of choices. KLM fulfils these wishes. When expanding its network, KLM pays keen attention to developments in a region or country's economic situation and tourist industry, which offer opportunities for profitable growth.
New flight destinations offered by KLM worldwide are direct consequences of the increase in demand for transportation, including by air. More and more people want to discover the world, visit friends, or trade. Moreover, new destinations also create opportunities to spread prosperity and to provide emergency aid.

Two connected hubs

Mainport Schiphol is a linchpin in the KLM network. This is where the majority of intercontinental connections are provided by KLM and its partners. The hub is the beating heart of the mainport where a hundreds of thousands of passengers transfer every week. Through their joint venture, KLM and Air France (whose homebase is the Paris airport Charles de Gaulle) are able to enjoy the benefit of two hubs. The dual-hub system brings a multitude of destinations to within easy reach of passengers and cargo companies.
Network and hub are so tightly interwoven that new destinations strengthen the position of the hub. New destinations increase the appeal of Schiphol for both passengers and freight companies. They also improve the Netherlands' competitive strength and benefit regional and national employment.

Driving sustainable accessibility

Because KLM's work terrain is the whole planet, it wants to build a sustainable network. This puts the airline in a position where it can comply with the increasing international demand for mobility and contribute to economic growth without impacting too much on the environment. In striving to achieve sustainability, KLM is leading the way in the airline industry. Besides the extensive measures KLM has implemented in terms of energy consumption and CO2 reductions, it is driving sustainability in the airline industry both through innovation and by example.
Sustainable accessibility is also a spearhead on the ground. KLM is to build a Hangar of the Future at Schiphol and encourages its employees to use public transport. KLM is also working on such projects as Driving-Time Predictor and Frontports, which make it possible for passengers to check in from outside the Randstad conurbation, for example, at park & ride points along the highways.