KLM to fly to Fukuoka

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will begin operating a scheduled service to Fukuoka next April 3.

Fukuoka is the third destination for KLM in Japan, after Tokyo and Osaka. With the new route KLM will offer a total of 21 flights per week to Japan. The additional destination in Japan will further strengthen the solid trade relationship between Japan and the Netherlands.

Fukuoka is the economic center of the Kyushu region in southwest Japan. Every year, 16 million passengers use Fukuoka Airport for domestic and international flights. The new service between Fukuoka and Amsterdam will also enable people from Kyushu to conveniently visit Amsterdam, other cities in the Netherlands and more than 70 destinations in Europe.

The new service will operate three times a week. Flight KL869 will depart from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Fukuoka the next day. Flight KL870 will depart from Fukuoka Airport on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Amsterdam the same day.

For more information, visit www.klm.com.

New SAS meal service

Scandinavian Airline (SAS) has renewed the in-flight meals for its international flights.

The menu has items such as a salmon marinade and Swedish hamburger steak with jam.

SAS is using organic ingredients as much as possible and tries to have fresh vegetables and high-quality cheese available for the meals. The airline is also particular about bread and has developed a new product served warmed that keeps the aroma and flavor longer than before.

Also, dishes, cutlery and other dining items in the business and economy extra classes are all of Scandinavian design.

For more information, visit www.flysas.co.jp.

Cathay's Auckland deal

Cathay Pacific has started a promotional campaign to attract more Japanese customers to travel to Auckland, New Zealand.

During the campaign period, 50 lucky winners who purchase a ticket to Auckland either online at the official website (www.cathaypacific.co.jp) or via the reservations and ticketing center (0120-46-3838) will have a chance to win ¥10,000. Child or infant fares and redemption tickets are not eligible for the campaign.

Spring has come to New Zealand, so it's a good time to plan a visit to Auckland, New Zealand's gateway and largest city.

Customers should apply by Jan. 31 and travel from Japan must be made between Nov. 1 and April 25.

Fifty winners will be selected by a drawing in the beginning of February, and the winners will be contacted by the airline through email or phone. The campaign prize will be sent to the winners' postal addresses in the form of postal orders that can be exchanged for cash at post offices throughout Japan.

For more information, visit www.cathaypacific.co.jp.