With the launch of the non-stop service between Luxembourg and London City Airport 11 years ago, VLM Airlines was the first airline to operate a direct connection between these two major European financial centres. The route was initially operated in partnership with Luxair.

In 2003 the regional airline started flying the route independently. Since then the passenger figures have risen gradually. This year the airline will carry more than 60,000 passengers on this route. The service between Luxembourg and London City Airport is one of the three best performing routes of the CityJet network.

In the first half of 2009 traffic was lower than the previous year because of the economic crisis, but since end of August, CityJet has recorded an important increase in the number of carried passengers. A few days ago CityJet broke its all-time passengers record on the route between

Luxembourg and London City Airport.

“The increase of the number of passengers on typical business routes is probably one of the first signs that the financial sector and the economy in general are recovering. It is CityJet’s focus to offer time-saving travel solutions, coupled with a high level of service to our passengers. This recipe is clearly very popular with business travellers between London City Airport and the capital of the Grand-Duchy”, says Johan Vanneste, CEO van VLM Airlines. “Having reached the important milestone of half a million passengers on this route makes all of us at CityJet very proud.”

Laurent Petitmangin, Head of Sales & Marketing of CityJet, added: “Currently we operate three return flights each weekday and one flight on Saturday and Sunday. We also offer convenient onward connections to Dublin, Edinburgh and Dundee. London City is the only London airport, which is conveniently located close to the centre of the British capital. The CityJet product is actually the best blend of two worlds: the entrepreneurial and challenger spirit of CityJet for a tailor-made experience combined with strong features of the Air France KLM Group such as the Flying Blue loyalty programme.”

Martin Flint, Director at Risk Analysis was the 500.000th passenger travelling from Luxembourg to London City. He was welcomed at the airport by Mr. Fernand Brisbois, CEO of Luxembourg Airport and Catherine Stuyck, Communication Manager at CityJet.

Mr. Flint states: “I thoroughly enjoy flying with CityJet from Luxembourg to London City. This airline offers an impeccable service and I know I can rely on their excellent punctuality. I look forward to receiving their continued commitment to the Luxembourg market for many years to come. Certainly City Airport is the closest airport to Central London and is much more convenient to reach than Heathrow or Gatwick when I travel over to visit our representative office and clients in Luxembourg “

To celebrate its 500,000th passenger on the route, CityJet introduced to all other passengers flying from Luxembourg to London City Airport a one-way fare starting from EUR39. The special fare includes all taxes and charges and applies for bookings between 25th November and 6th December 2009 for flights between 30th November 2009 and 27th March 2010.

About CityJet, Air France and VLM Airlines

CityJet and VLM Airlines, two 100% subsidiaries of Air France, announced in May 2009 that they will operate under the single brand name ‘CityJet’. By combining their operations the two regional airlines want to strengthen their position to remain the number 1 choice for time-conscious business travellers to and from the heart of London.

Together they carry out about 600 flights a week between London City Airport and 16 UK and European destinations. They currently offer flights from London City Airport to Amsterdam, Antwerp, Dublin, Dundee, Edinburgh, Eindhoven, Geneva, Jersey, Luxembourg, Milan, Nantes, Paris, Rotterdam and Venice. CityJet also operates flights between Antwerp and Manchester and offers flights from Rotterdam to Hamburg.

Air France is part of the Air France KLM Group and is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with worldwide services.