On Apr. 1, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines added another round-trip Fukuoka-Amsterdam flight, bringing the weekly number up from three to four. The route, which was the first to connect Kyushu to Europe, went into service one year ago and flew about 78,000 passengers, 84% of which were Japanese. KLM Chief Operating Officer Pieter Elbers said he was satisfied with the average capacity of more 80%. “If we reach 100,000 riders per year, we will consider adding more flights,” said Elbers. Unfortunately, the number of European riders is low because Kyushu is not well known there. Elbers said KLM is working to promote Kyushu by explaining the island’s historical ties to the Netherlands. “People understand when we tell them ‘Kyushu is where Dejima was’,” he remarks. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 4/3
One year ago, KLM tied up with Fukuoka Now to produce a 12 minute video to introduce Fukuoka and other parts of Kyushu to visitors from overseas. The video is shown inside KLM flights, but also available on Youtube. It can be very helpful in giving prospective visitors a preview of what they can expect to see here. Access here: http://fukuoka-now.com/2013/03/fukuoka-kyushu-tourism-promotional-video-released/
