Company profile
KLM Cargo is the cargo brand of Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij (KLM). Founded on 7 October 1919, KLM is the world's oldest airline still operating under its original name. After KLM and Air France merged in 2004 to form the Air France-KLM group, the two cargo businesses were combined into Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP), a single integrated brand. Cargo headquarters are in Amstelveen near Amsterdam in the Netherlands and the main hub is Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport (AMS). The carrier codes are IATA KL and ICAO KLM, the radio callsign is KLM, the general website is klm.com and the cargo portal is afklcargo.com.
On fleet and capacity, KLM no longer operates its own freighters; day-to-day cargo from China travels in passenger belly holds. Group freighter capacity is flown by its wholly owned subsidiary Martinair with Boeing 747-400F aircraft and sold under the AFKLMP brand. For a Chinese shipper booking under a KL code, this means belly space on KLM widebody passenger aircraft for general cargo and express shipments, plus access to group Martinair freighter capacity for bulk, heavy and oversized consignments. The value for Chinese shippers lies in Schiphol as the European gateway: cargo from China is distributed through Amsterdam to major European cities and onward to points in Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
In China, KLM operates scheduled passenger belly service at major gateways. The Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) route is flown by KL897 / KL898, about six flights a week. The Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) route is flown by KL895 / KL896, close to daily in the summer 2026 season. Hong Kong (HKG) has about four passenger belly flights a week. Beyond belly space, Martinair group freighters connect Amsterdam with Hong Kong via Dubai (DWC); that sector resumed on 19 September 2024 and gives shippers in South China and Hong Kong capacity for bulk and heavy cargo. Cargo from China can connect via AMS to all of Europe on one waybill and extend to Africa, the Middle East and transatlantic markets.
In the outbound direction the main flows are Chinese exports of electronic information products, consumer electronics, textiles and apparel, e-commerce parcels, auto parts and high value-added industrial goods. The return direction carries European pharmaceuticals, flowers and flower seedlings, fresh food, premium consumer goods and machinery parts, with flowers and perishables placing the highest demands on temperature control and transit time. KLM Cargo is a member of SkyTeam Cargo, and Schiphol's role as a European distribution hub gives Chinese shippers a complete corridor from gateway departure to delivery at multiple European points. Space and loading conditions at each gateway are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
On fleet renewal, the group has ordered four Airbus A350F next-generation freighters, due to replace Martinair's Boeing 747-400F aircraft progressively between 2027 and 2028. In the summer 2026 season AFKLMP also added an Amsterdam to Seoul (ICN) freighter route, strengthening its freighter network toward Asia-Pacific. For medium and long-term planning, Chinese shippers can watch the fuel efficiency and payload gains from the new aircraft and the connection options created by the wider Asia-Pacific network. New points and timings follow carrier announcements.
International air services connecting from China
KLM Cargo's China-origin service relies on passenger belly space as the everyday capacity, supported by AFKLMP group freighters and distributed through the Amsterdam Schiphol hub in several directions. Toward Europe, AMS feeds London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Copenhagen, Zurich, Vienna, Warsaw and other major European cities. Toward Africa, Schiphol is a key European gateway to West, East and North Africa, covering Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg and Cairo. Toward the Middle East, Amsterdam and Dubai connect the network to Gulf markets. Across the Atlantic, AMS links to North American gateways such as New York and Toronto and extends to some South American points.
On export commodities from China, electronic information products, consumer electronics, e-commerce parcels and fast-fashion apparel suit the near-daily belly space from Shanghai Pudong and the roughly six weekly belly flights from Beijing Capital, both arriving directly in Amsterdam and distributing onward through AMS. Time-critical pharmaceuticals, fresh food, flowers and high-value pieces can use AFKLMP Pharma temperature-controlled products and priority space. Bulk industrial goods, heavy cargo and oversized pieces can combine the group freighter capacity that connects Hong Kong via Dubai. On the return leg, European flower seedlings, pharmaceuticals, fresh food and premium consumer goods move in moderate volumes at high value and suit belly space under cold-chain procedures. Actual payload and space are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
On gateway choice, shippers in East China can use the near-daily belly space from Shanghai Pudong, shippers in North China can depart from Beijing Capital, and shippers in South China and the Greater Bay Area can combine Hong Kong passenger belly space with freighter capacity via Dubai. Time-critical pharmaceuticals, flowers and fresh produce suit priority space and temperature-controlled products, while steady industrial volumes can lock in space in advance against weekly frequencies. As a single European hub, AMS has uniform transit procedures and customs distribution standards; when space is tight in peak season, Chinese shippers can also use the group's Air France hub at Paris CDG as a backup.
| Connection direction | Main destinations | What it means for Chinese shippers |
|---|---|---|
| European hub deconsolidation and distribution | Amsterdam AMS, extending to London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Zurich, Copenhagen and more | Cargo from China reaches the European gateway on one waybill and connects to major European cities the same or next day |
| African market | Key points in West, East and North Africa (Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Cairo) | African trade covered through the Schiphol gateway, matching the structure of Chinese exports to Africa |
| Middle East and transatlantic | Gulf gateway and North American points such as New York and Toronto | Middle East and North America reached through the European hub, suited to multi-leg intercontinental movements |
| Backhaul cargo | European flower seedlings, pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, premium consumer goods and machinery parts | Two-way capacity matching that improves overall cost efficiency |
The table summarises the main directions from public sources. Times are local. Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Route network from China to the Amsterdam hub
The map shows, from a Europe-Asia perspective, how cargo from China is distributed through Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). Orange arcs are the mainlines from major Chinese gateways to Amsterdam; blue arcs are distribution toward Europe, Africa and across the Atlantic. Actual points and schedules are confirmed by the carrier on the day.
Freight advantages for Chinese shippers
Schiphol as the European gateway
Amsterdam Schiphol is a major European air cargo gateway with mature clearance and distribution processes. Cargo from China connects quickly through AMS to major European cities under uniform transit standards.
Near-daily service from Shanghai
The Shanghai Pudong route is close to daily in the summer 2026 season and Beijing Capital runs about six flights a week. Belly space is offered on a fixed rolling schedule, suited to e-commerce replenishment and regular shipments of small and medium lots.
Integrated AFKLMP network
KLM Cargo, Air France Cargo and Martinair operate under the single AFKLMP brand, with AMS and CDG as mutually supporting hubs, giving Chinese shippers more room to switch capacity in peak season.
Pharma temperature control and healthcare
The AFKLMP Pharma product line provides temperature-controlled containers, temperature recording and full journey monitoring, backed by cold-chain facilities at Schiphol. It suits Chinese biopharma companies shipping vaccines, reagents and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Flowers and perishables expertise
The Netherlands is known for its flower trade, and the area around Schiphol is equipped to handle flowers, seedlings and perishables. Chinese imports of flowers, seedlings and fresh produce can return in temperature-controlled space, while exports of fresh produce are declared under quarantine requirements.
Freighter capacity as a supplement
Martinair Boeing 747 freighters connect Hong Kong via Dubai, giving South China shippers capacity for bulk and heavy cargo that combines with passenger belly space to cover a range of cargo types and transit needs.
Together these strengths form the case for choosing KLM Cargo: the Schiphol gateway secures European distribution efficiency, belly space from Shanghai and Beijing provides steady daily schedules, the integrated AFKLMP network offers a two-hub backup, temperature-controlled and perishable processes support pharmaceutical and flower trades, and freighter capacity covers bulk and heavy demand. Depending on cargo type and destination market, Goodhope Freight assesses and selects the best hub and capacity combination.
Aircraft types and capacity mix
KLM Cargo's capacity comes from two sources: passenger belly space and AFKLMP group freighters. The KLM long-haul passenger fleet is built around the Airbus A350-900 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with widebody aircraft on trunk routes from Shanghai and Beijing where belly holds take both ULDs and loose cargo. Group freighter capacity is flown by Martinair with four Boeing 747-400F aircraft featuring a nose-loading door for very long items, serving mainly bulk and heavy cargo from Hong Kong via Dubai. Airbus A350F next-generation freighters are on order and are expected to replace the current 747 freighters progressively from 2027 to 2028.
On belly loading: passenger aircraft carry cargo either in ULDs or loose in bulk; piece weight and volume are limited by the hold door and floor load, and overweight or irregular pieces must be declared in advance. The nose-loading design of the freighter allows over-length cargo. Giving us accurate pieces, weight and dimensions at booking stage markedly improves the certainty of the loading plan and dispatch efficiency. ULD types are matched to the aircraft on the route and to the equipment at the destination terminal, and the exact loading plan is confirmed by us with the carrier against capacity on the day.
Airbus A350-900
KLM's next-generation long-haul aircraft, with a balance of fuel efficiency and payload, progressively taking over trunk routes from Shanghai and Beijing where its belly provides steady space for high-value and time-critical cargo.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
A key part of the KLM long-haul widebody fleet on Europe to Asia routes, with belly space and ULD compatibility that suit daily shipments of small and medium general cargo and express freight.
Boeing 747-400F series
The mainstay of AFKLMP group freighter capacity, with a nose-loading door for very long and irregular pieces and mature long-haul intercontinental operations, serving mainly bulk and heavy cargo from Hong Kong via Dubai.
Airbus A350F (planned)
New-generation freighters ordered by the group, expected to replace the current 747-400F series progressively, improving long-haul freighter capacity and fuel efficiency. The routes they enter service on follow carrier announcements.
Aircraft capacity figures are compiled from manufacturers' and airlines' public data. Actual payload is subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Airports served in China and schedule connections
KLM operates scheduled passenger belly service in mainland China and Hong Kong, with group freighter capacity connected through Hong Kong. The table lists connection paths from major Chinese gateways. Times are local; schedules change with the season and are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
| China origin ports | Connecting hub | Capacity type | Indicative schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong PVG | Amsterdam AMS | Passenger aircraft belly capacity | KL895 operates close to daily. Times are local; schedules change with the season and are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking |
| Beijing Capital PEK | Amsterdam AMS | Passenger aircraft belly capacity | KL897 operates about six flights a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Actual schedule is subject to carrier confirmation |
| Hong Kong HKG | Amsterdam AMS, via Dubai DWC | Passenger belly / group freighter | About four passenger belly flights a week; Martinair 747 freighters resumed in September 2024. Actual schedule is subject to carrier confirmation |
| Guangzhou CAN / Shenzhen SZX | Via PVG, HKG or AMS | Belly hold / transit connections | No schedule for its own freighters is publicly available; shipping via a hub gateway is recommended |
Cargo sales in China for this carrier are handled by KLM's China offices together with the AFKLMP China network and local freight agents. Space and connections are confirmed by Goodhope Freight on the day of booking.
Cargo booking and connection path in China
Submit shipping instructions
The shipper gives Goodhope Freight the departure gateway, the European or African destination city, the commodity, piece weight and dimensions, and the transit requirement. We then choose between direct service to Amsterdam and a freighter connection through Hong Kong.
Confirm space and rate
Goodhope Freight books belly or freighter space through KLM's China offices, the AFKLMP China sales network or its local freight agents, confirming the rate, ULD type and loading conditions.
Departure and transit connections
After acceptance at the Chinese gateway, the cargo transits AMS and is distributed to European destination cities according to the connection plan, extending to African and transatlantic points. Transit dwell time follows the day's flight program.
Backhaul booking
European flower seedlings, pharmaceuticals, fresh produce and premium consumer goods can be booked back in the reverse direction through the same Schiphol corridor to Chinese gateways, with temperature-controlled and perishable cargo handled under cold-chain procedures.
During booking, overweight pieces, oversize pieces, temperature-controlled cargo, perishables and sensitive goods must be declared in advance so that Goodhope Freight can confirm loading conditions and the ULD type required. Flight times are local; schedules change with the season and are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking. Before booking we give the shipper a list of rates, space and loading conditions, then complete the booking once confirmed. Urgent cargo can request priority space, subject to carrier approval.
Specialist freight services from China
Pharmaceutical cold chain and temperature-controlled transport.The AFKLMP Pharma product line provides temperature-controlled containers, data loggers and full journey monitoring, backed by cold-chain facilities at Schiphol. It suits Chinese biopharma companies shipping vaccines, reagents and active pharmaceutical ingredients, with the cold chain run within set temperature ranges throughout.
Flowers, seedlings and perishables.The Dutch flower trade has global reach, and the area around Schiphol can handle flowers, seedlings and perishables. Chinese imports of flowers, seedlings and fresh produce can travel back in temperature-controlled space, while live exports are declared under the inspection and quarantine rules of the destination country.
Live animal transport.AFKLMP offers live animal transport with dedicated space and handling procedures. It suits breeding stock, pets and laboratory animals moving into and out of China, declared in advance and handled under the carrier's live animal rules.
Perishables and time-critical cargo.The Fresh product serves live and fresh food trade between Europe and China. European dairy, fruit and seafood imported into China can return in temperature-controlled space, and exports of fresh produce are booked around destination quarantine rules and the available transit window.
High-value and sensitive cargo.The Schiphol cargo terminal has dedicated security procedures for high-value goods such as jewellery, watches and electronics. Chinese shippers can request priority space and declared value cover for high-value exports, and sensitive goods are declared under carrier rules.
African gateway connections.Schiphol is a major European gateway to Africa. Chinese exports of machinery and electrical goods, textiles and consumer goods can be distributed through AMS to key West and East African points with a single connection, cutting out repeated handovers.
Dangerous goods and lithium battery declarations.Exports containing dangerous goods, lithium batteries or magnetic cargo must be declared in advance against belly and freighter limits, with loadability and packing requirements confirmed by us together with the carrier.
E-commerce parcels and fast-fashion replenishment.Belly service close to daily from Shanghai and six flights a week from Beijing gives cross-border e-commerce and fast-fashion brands a steady weekly shipping rhythm. Schiphol's European distribution covers multiple country markets and suits small-lot, high-frequency replenishment.
China contact
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has offices in Beijing and Shanghai (Chinese website klm.com.cn). Cargo space sales and bookings run through the AFKLMP China sales network and local freight agents; office addresses follow the latest publication on the website. The general airline website is klm.com and the cargo portal is afklcargo.com, where cargo status and flight information can be checked.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited, website https://goodhope86.com, handles air freight from major Chinese gateways to the Netherlands, other European countries and African markets. We provide booking at Chinese gateways, transit connections at Amsterdam, European distribution and return-leg consolidation, and can help Chinese shippers reach KLM's China offices and AFKLMP sales channels for the latest space and schedule information.