Chief reporter David Bartlett travelled to Amsterdam yesterday to see the airport hub KLM hopes will be used by more than 100,000 Merseysiders a year.

ONE look at the depart-ure board in Amster-dam’s Schiphol Airport shows the new world of destin-ations that will open to Liverpool passengers next year.

Mid-afternoon yesterday the board was showing flights to Beijing, Tokyo, Detroit, Nairobi, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Quito among many, many more.

Instead of having to travel to Manchester or London to make connections, a whole host of loca-tions have suddenly opened up.

In fact, 213 worldwide destina-tions are now just a little over an hour’s flight away.

The beauty of the new KLM link is that passengers will be able to effortlessly connect not only with flights by the Dutch national carrier but also with Air France (with which KLM merged in 2004).

Once in Schiphol there is no need to collect baggage, simply enjoy the attractions and services on offer in the airport whilst in transit.

And the key to all this is Schiphol Airport, KLM’s home base, which also operates as a hub – an airport primarily focused on transfer passengers. A spokes-woman for Schiphol tells me on my visit that the airport and KLM are inextricably linked.

According to KLM in and out-bound flights are carefully syn-chronised for smooth passage and a three-times-a-daily service should limit lengthy waits in Schiphol.

Flights will leave Liverpool at 6.15am, 10.30am, and 5.30pm, returning from Amsterdam at 9.25am, 4.25pm and 8.30pm.

For those who enjoy looking around airports there’s plenty to do and buy..

Unlike Heathrow or some other British airports, Schiphol does not feel crowded or noisy. It’s clean, efficient and there is a relaxed atmosphere.

For culture vultures there is a branch of Amsterdam’s Rijks Museum, displaying a collection of rarely exhibited Dutch drawings to mark the 125th anniversary of the Rembrandt Society.

Meanwhile, for those looking to relax or even sleep in style Yotel has just opened an airside hotel, meaning travellers can avoid having to go through passport control to get a bit of shut-eye. Prices start at less than £30 for a minimum four-hour stay in their “luxury” cupboard size room packed with mod cons.

For thrill seekers there is also a fully equipped casino among the duty free shops.

There is plenty to do in Schiphol, but more importantly it will con-nect Liverpool with a whole new set of destinations for the first time.

davidbartlett