“We warmly welcome KLM’s inaugural flight to Kittilä Airport! This new direct route from Amsterdam is an excellent addition to Kittilä’s international connections,” said Jonna Pietilä, Finavia’s Regional Director of Lapland Airports and Manager of Kittilä Airport, in her speech.
“We are very happy to open this new seasonal route in Finland, as we see a very strong demand from the rest of Europe and beyond for travels to the northern part of Europe. Three years ago, we added Rovaniemi to our network, which has been very popular. That is why, we this year, we also increase our capacity to Rovaniemi as well as adding Kittilä,” says Tom Verbugt, General Manager, North Europe AFKL.
Present at the route inauguration were KLM CEO Marjan Rintel, Air France KLM’s Regional Director for Northern Europe and CIS countries Tom Verbugt, Kittilä Mayor Timo Kurula and Director of Economic Development Katariina Palola, Kolari Mayor Markku Vehkaoja, as well as representatives from Visit Levi, Visit Ylläs, and Finavia. Passengers on the inaugural flight were treated to some Finnish mulled wine “glögi” and a traditional yoik performance.
Photo: The inaugural flight from Amsterdam landed at Kittilä Airport. Visit Levi/Elias Koli
Photo: Yoik performer Ante Aikio performed for the inaugural flight passengers at the event. Visit Levi/Elias Koli
Photo: Yoik performer Ante Aikio (left) together with KLM CEO Marjan Rintel. Visit Levi/Elias Koli.
The new route will operate once a week on Sundays during the winter season with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Service will continue until March 22, 2026.
Main photo: The ribbon-cutting ceremony included the inaugural flight crew as well as KLM CEO Marjan Rintel (third from right), Air France KLM’s Regional Director for Northern Europe and CIS countries Tom Verbugt (second from right), Visit Levi CEO Satu Pesonen (first on the right), Visit Ylläs CEO Miska Jukkola (second from left), Lapland Airports Regional Director and Kittilä Airport Manager Jonna Pietilä (fifth from right), and Route Development Manager Jyrijaakko Ritamies (first on the left) from Finavia. Visit Levi/Elias Koli.
