KLM Returns to Barbados with Winter Flights
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will resume seasonal service between Amsterdam Schiphol and Bridgetown’s Grantley Adams International Airport for the 2025–26 winter season, restoring a direct link to Barbados after more than two years. The three-times-weekly flights will launch on October 26, 2025, and operate through March 26, 2026, using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Each flight will continue onward from Barbados to Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Georgetown, Guyana, offering seamless connections across the Caribbean and South America.
Earlier this spring, KLM announced a new Georgetown service beginning June 4, 2025, which will operate four times per week via Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten. These summer flights will also be served by 787-9 aircraft, linking Amsterdam with two growing markets in the region and catering to both business and leisure travelers seeking direct access to Guyana’s capital.
KLM first inaugurated direct Amsterdam–Barbados flights during the 2021–22 winter season, operating via Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, before extending the service through the 2022–23 season. Those flights marked the first nonstop connection between the Netherlands and Barbados in over two decades. The airline suspended the route in March 2023 amid shifting market conditions but maintained an ongoing commitment to Caribbean connectivity.
The return of KLM to Bridgetown will complement existing European services at Grantley Adams Airport. Condor will offer flights to Düsseldorf and Frankfurt, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will connect London Heathrow, and both Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic will serve Manchester. In 2024, Sabre Market Intelligence recorded approximately 503,000 two-way passengers traveling between Barbados and Europe, with London accounting for 53 percent of that traffic. Manchester, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Amsterdam followed as key source markets, underscoring strong demand for direct and one-stop connections to the island.
Tourism officials in Barbados have welcomed KLM’s announcement, noting that additional capacity from a flagship carrier can help to alleviate peak-season shortages and support the island’s long-term economic recovery. Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. has emphasized the importance of diversifying air services to sustain visitor growth, particularly during the winter months when demand for sun, culture and festivals peaks among European travelers.
Onboard, KLM’s Boeing 787-9s will feature its long-haul cabin layout, including Economy, Economy Comfort and World Business Class seats. World Business Class offers fully flat beds, direct aisle access and the airline’s latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity options. Economy Comfort provides extra legroom, while Economy class maintains KLM’s signature service with complimentary meals and a selection of beverages.
KLM’s return to Bridgetown arrives as part of the airline’s wider network expansion strategy, which includes new routes to South America, strengthened ties with Caribbean partners and fleet modernization. With over 30 Dreamliners in its fleet and additional 787s on order, the carrier is enhancing its ability to serve long-haul leisure markets with fuel-efficient aircraft.
As reservations open, travel advisors and online booking platforms are already reporting strong interest in winter travel to Barbados and beyond. Early-booking promotions and package holiday offers from KLM’s sister company, TUI, are expected to drive sales in the coming months. By reinstating direct Amsterdam–Barbados service and expanding flights to Guyana, KLM aims to capture a growing share of European tourists seeking year-round warmth and culture in the Caribbean.
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