KLM and Delta will offer Covid-free flights from Atlanta to Amsterdam from December 15th, 2020. The airlines have joined efforts with the Dutch Government, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to deliver a comprehensive Covid-19 testing program that will allow eligible customers to be exempt from quarantine upon arrival after receiving a negative PCR test result on landing in the Netherlands.
To fly on Delta and KLM’s Covid-free flights from Atlanta to Amsterdam, customers will need to:
- Take a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test 5 days before arrival in Amsterdam.
- Take a Rapid antigen prior to boarding at Atlanta Airport.
- Take a PCR test directly upon arrival at Schiphol.
I am grateful for the constructive collaboration with our partners Delta Air Lines and the Schiphol Group, and to have the support of the Dutch Government to make this unique Covid-free travel corridor trial possible
Pieter Elbers, President & CEO KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
“Until an approved working vaccine is available worldwide, this testing program represents the first step towards the international travel industry’s recovery.
The flights will operate four times per week from Atlanta to Amsterdam, with Delta and KLM operating two frequencies each. Only passengers with negative test results will be accepted on-board. The flights will initially run for three weeks and if successful, the airlines hope to extend the program to other markets.
Customers will be able to choose the Covid-tested flights when they purchase their tickets online or opt for one of the alternative Delta or KLM daily flights between Atlanta and Amsterdam. Entry requirements for the Netherlands usually include ten days of quarantine but by completing a negative PCR test 5 days before arrival and self-isolating until departure, customers can choose to complete the quarantine ahead of their departing flight. No quarantine will be required upon arrival once the customer test’s result is negative upon arrival at Schiphol airport.
This new protocol will be available to all citizens permitted to travel to the Netherlands for essential reasons, such as for work, health and education, as well as all Dutch and European Union citizens. Customers who are transiting via Amsterdam to other countries will still be required to follow entry requirements and any mandatory quarantine in place at their final destination.
