KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Launches New Direct Routes to Jersey, Santiago de Compostela, and Oviedo, Boosting Tourism and Regional Connectivity in Europe

Published on December 18, 2025

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines revealed new routes within Europe, scheduled to begin in Summer 2026, connecting Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) directly to destinations such as Jersey, Santiago de Compostela, and Oviedo. These new routes are part of KLM’s strategy for “selective growth” aimed at popular tourist destinations, especially those associated with either tourism or cultural heritage, besides improving connectivity within Europe. The new routes are likely to increase tourism significantly in the respective regions, making tourism accessible worldwide.

Future Tourism Impact: Expanding Connectivity and Visitor Numbers

The introduction of direct flights to Jersey, Santiago de Compostela, and Oviedo will have a positive future impact on tourism by significantly improving regional connectivity and facilitating easier travel for both leisure travelers and business visitors. These routes will offer direct access to historically significant cities and scenic destinations that were previously harder to reach from Northern Europe, ultimately driving tourism growth in these lesser-visited areas.

This enhanced accessibility is expected to lead to an increase in visitor numbers, boosting local economies and creating new business opportunities in sectors like hospitality, transport, and local tourism services. Moreover, the growth of these routes could stimulate future tourism expansion across Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, providing travelers with multi-destination experiences and facilitating more cross-border tourism within Europe.

A Strategic Focus on High-Yield Leisure and Cultural Tourism

By prioritizing leisure destinations like Santiago de Compostela—a key stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage—Jersey, known for its unique British-French blend, and Oviedo, the gateway to Green Spain, KLM is responding to the growing global demand for experience-driven tourism. This strategy aligns with the shift toward more personalized travel experiences, where tourists seek deeper engagement with local cultures, traditions, and history, rather than just traditional sightseeing.

In addition to serving pilgrims and nature enthusiasts, these routes are poised to attract culture-seeking travelers, with Santiago de Compostela offering a UNESCO World Heritage experience, Jersey providing a blend of French and British heritage, and Oviedo offering access to Spain’s mountainous landscape. This focus on high-yield leisure tourism is expected to fuel long-term growth in the regions’ tourism industries.

Supporting Economic Development and Tourism Infrastructure

The new routes will not only bolster tourism but will also drive economic development by enhancing tourism infrastructure and supporting local businesses. The introduction of daily services—particularly to destinations like Santiago de Compostela and Oviedo, which are increasingly popular among eco-tourists, cultural tourists, and pilgrims—will help stimulate demand for accommodation, transport, and local services.

These new flight services will also have a ripple effect on other sectors, including regional trade, local gastronomy, and cultural experiences, providing a steady stream of tourism revenue to areas that will benefit from increased international visitors. With Jersey expected to become more accessible, the island will likely see increased engagement from both tourists seeking relaxation and those looking for local experiences like culinary tours, cultural events, and historical site visits.

KLM’s Role in Shaping the Future of European Travel

The new routes reflect KLM’s long-term strategy to shape the future of European travel by connecting high-yield leisure destinations with its extensive global network. As part of a growing trend toward experience-driven travel, these flights will not only boost the European tourism market but will also encourage multi-destination travel, allowing visitors to explore multiple countries in a single trip. KLM’s ability to cater to this demand by offering direct flights to diverse destinations ensures that the airline remains competitive in the evolving tourism market.

Looking ahead, this selective growth approach will likely lead to further expansion of regional tourism routes, with new destinations being introduced to provide more travel choices. As KLM expands its network to culturally significant cities and natural destinations, the airline will help foster tourism growth in emerging markets while continuing to offer competitive pricing and accessibility for travelers seeking affordable yet high-quality travel experiences.

A Future of Sustainable Tourism and Regional Connectivity

The inauguration of the direct flights to Jersey, Santiago de Compostela, and Oviedo marks KLM’s pursuit of sustainable growth in the European tourism industry. The new routes not only offer improved access to the regions, but they will also be critical to the long-term future of tourism within Europe itself. With the ever-growing demand for culture and experience-related tourism options, KLM’s initiatives to develop its regional routes are set to ensure sustainable growth within the tourism industry and to ensure the establishment of the regions as major stakeholders in the international tourism industry.

Image Source: KLM