Agreement promises lower fares to Europe

An arrangement between Malaysia Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is offering New Zealanders cheaper seasonal airfares.

The code-share agreement has introduced an off-season for travellers to Europe that extends into June and July, months traditionally dominated by fullprice fares.

The $2199 fares are about $300 cheaper than the average price a traveller could expect to pay with other airlines.

Travellers will fly Malaysian Airlines to Kuala Lumpur, then KLM to Amsterdam and on to other European destinations.

KLM has not flown to New Zealand since the early 1960s, when it brought in charter flights of immigrants from the Netherlands.

The airline remains outside the major alliances, but either partly-owns or is in partnership with a number of regional European carriers. It is also a major partner with United States carrier Northwest Airlines.

KLM spokesman Fred Scott-Raynsford said the agreement with Malaysian Airlines was the first significant partnership for KLM in the Asia and Australasia areas.

Herald Online Travel