Following an announcement made by the Dutch Government, with effect from 01 June 2021 the flight ban from South Africa to the Netherlands has been lifted.
In addition to Dutch nationals and residents, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines confirms the following passengers are also now accepted for travel from South Africa to the Netherlands: Nationals and residents of the European Union or the Schengen Area. Due to the EU entry ban remaining in place, other country nationals can only travel to the Netherlands if they fall into one of the exemption categories. These exemptions can be checked via: www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/
Furthermore, all passengers in transit from South Africa via the Netherlands are now allowed, provided they are permitted entry to the country of final destination.
Passengers entering the Netherlands from South Africa are still required to present a negative PCR test. This can be either a negative PCR test taken no more than 24 hours before boarding, or a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands and a negative antigen/rapid test taken no more than 24 hours before boarding. In addition, it is also required to complete a quarantine declaration and comply with a 10-day isolation period on arrival. The quarantine may be ended after a period of 5 days if a second PCR test is negative.
KLM reminds passengers that it is imperative to check the travel requirements and entry restrictions of the country of final destination. This can be checked at: www.klm.traveldoc.aero
KLM flight schedules
Johannesburg (all timings are LT)
KLM has daily flights between Amsterdam and Johannesburg. KL591 departs Amsterdam at 10:35 and arrives in Johannesburg at 21:20. The return flight, KL592 departs Johannesburg at 23:10, arriving in Amsterdam at 10:20 the following morning.
Cape Town (all timings are LT)
Currently KLM operates 4 times per week between Amsterdam and Cape Town. This will increase to daily flights during the European Summer. KL597 departs Amsterdam at 10:05, arriving in Cape Town at 21:25. From Cape Town, KL598 departs at 23:10 and arrives in Amsterdam at 10:45 the following morning.
Flexible booking policy
As the world continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, KLM understands that passengers may be impacted at any time before or during their journey. Since the onset, KLM has adopted commercial measures which permit the postponement or cancellation of a passenger’s trip without charge and without proof until December 2021. Passengers can request a travel voucher for future travel or request a full refund should the need arise.
Safe and responsible flights
KLM has of course taken all the necessary measures to ensure that its flights are safe for both passengers and staff. For example, facemasks are mandatory when boarding and during the flight, and KLM aircraft undergo extra cleaning. The air on board is swiftly and frequently refreshed using HEPA filters. Because of this package of measures, research agency APEX awarded KLM top status for “health safety”, making it one of the world’s leading airlines in terms of hygiene.
