KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is celebrating 80 years of flights between Glasgow and Amsterdam.

The airline first launched the route from Renfrew Airport in 1946, creating a long-standing air link between Scotland, the Netherlands and KLM’s global network.

The inaugural flight took off on July 29, 1946, using a chartered DC-3 Scottish Airlines aircraft carrying Scottish national products and a gift for the Mayor of Amsterdam.

Following the opening of Glasgow Airport in 1966, the service transferred to the city’s current airport, where it continues to operate today.

KLM now runs up to four daily flights between Glasgow Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol, providing onward connections to more than 160 destinations worldwide.

Booking data from the past year highlights continued demand for the route, with popular European destinations from Glasgow including the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France and Poland.

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Jerome Salemi, general manager for Air France-KLM UK and Ireland, said: “Reaching 80 years of service on this route highlights KLM’s long-standing commitment to Glasgow and Scotland over the decades.

“Whether travelling for business, to explore new destinations or to visit loved ones, we are proud to have been part of so many journeys, and we look forward to welcoming more customers on board our flights for many years to come.”

Glasgow Airport’s managing director Gavin Birch-Williams said: “We are delighted to join KLM in celebrating 80 years of connecting Glasgow with Amsterdam and the wider world.

“As Glasgow Airport celebrates 60 years at its current site in 2026, it is especially fitting to recognise an airline that has been part of Glasgow’s aviation story for even longer.

“We congratulate KLM on this significant anniversary and look forward to building on our successful partnership for many years to come.”