KLM Operates More Successful Test Flights

See also: Volcanic Ash / Flight Delays - Updates and Volcanic Ash Causes Worldwide Flight Delays. KLM successfully operated a total of ten test flights this weekend, assessing whether the quality of the atmosphere allowed safe air traffic. All of the aircraft have now undergone a technical inspection with the airline conveying the results to the Dutch air transport authorities, Inspectie Verkeer en Waterstaat (IVW).

On Saturday, 17 April 2010, KLM operated a test flight in Dutch airspace with subsequent technical inspections revealing that the flight had encountered no problems whatsoever. Based on this information, the Dutch air transport authorities IVW, granted permission to operate further test flights on Sunday.

The first flight set off to Düsseldorf, Germany, at around 06:30 on Sunday morning. The aircraft had no passengers on board, but was staffed by a 20-strong crew. The crew on board flew seven stranded aircraft from Düsseldorf to Schiphol during the course of the morning and early afternoon.

"These are test flights," stressed KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman. "This does not mean that normal air traffic has been resumed. This matter will be decided on by the Dutch air transport authorities IVW, in consultation with the European authorities."

KLM Operates Two Commercial Flights on Sunday

KLM also operated two commercial flights to the Far East on Sunday evening. There were no passengers on board these flights, which carried cargo and the regular crew complement. The flights bound for Sharjah and Bangkok / Taipei were operated by a Boeing 747 full freighter and a Boeing 747 combi respectively. The Dutch aviation authorities had granted KLM permission to operate these flights.

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