VLM cooperates with CityJet at London City Airport

Air France-KLM has bought VLM Airlines, the biggest carrier at London City Airport, giving it access to more business routes from London.

VLM operates flights from London City Airport to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Luxembourg, Jersey, Manchester and the Isle of Man. It has a fleet of 18 Fokker 50 turboprops and one BAe 146 jet.

CityJet is a 100% subsidiary of Air France and operates flights from London City Airport to Paris, Strasbourg, Zurich, Geneva, Nice, Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh and Dundee.

"We see this as a great opportunity to expand and to offer an optimal product to our customers. Both networks are highly complementary and the new combined network will link London City with major European business and financial centres," said CityJet chief executive, Geoffrey O'Byrne-White.

Managing director of VLM Airlines, Johan Vanneste, commented: "I'm very excited that VLM Airlines will be part of the Air France-KLM group. The cooperation with CityJet will create value for our customers as this transaction will ensure them access to the largest number of destinations from London City Airport".

London City Airport continues to grow thanks to its position in Docklands near the business centre of London. British Airways subsidiary BA CityFlyer is launching flights from London City Airport to Nice in March, and from London City Airport to Amsterdam, Barcelona and Warsaw in May.

Written by: Nick Purdom