Connection between NS and KLM

There is a connection between NS and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, but this was recently ended. Now there is only a minor association between the two companies. This is a substitute for flying, so passengers can travel by train.

The connection between NS and KLM was ended at the end of 2011. KLM was an investor in the Fyra high speed train, that in the future will run between Amsterdam and Brussels in place of the normal InterCity Brussels. But very disappointing passenger numbers and profits caused KLM to pull out of the Fyra and HSL-South. The corporation was meant as a substitute for flights between Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Brussels Zaventem Airport.

Nowadays the only agreement between the two, are normal train journeys between Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Belgium. Passengers of KLM can exchange their airline ticket for a train ticket, train runs every hour. The initial option with the Fyra only had minimal time saving, or you can take a flight to Brussels…(that’s only a 20 minutes flight) ,if there’s a favorable connection (five times daily).

I understand the view-point of KLM, because a bad investment isn’t good for your reputation. The flights to Brussels are there, so why you should exchange a flight of 20 minutes for a train journey of more than 2 hours.