Go Dutch: Airport celebrates debut of direct flight to Amsterdam

Delta Air Lines begins service from Tampa to the capital of the Netherlands.

By Business Observer Staff
| 2:13 p.m. May 28, 2019
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

Delta Air Lines officially launched its highly anticipated Tampa-Amsterdam service on Friday, May 24. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

TAMPA — Tampa International Airport and Delta Air Lines officially launched direct, nonstop service from Tampa to Amsterdam May 24.

According to a press release, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and airport CEO Joe Lopano were on hand to kick off the new seasonal route. The celebration featured Dutch pop music and Gouda cheese served to passengers bound for the capital of the Netherlands.

“This type of international flight has been a top priority for us,” Lopano states in the release. “Not only do these flights allow our residents to explore the world; they bring the world to us. That’s good for tourism and business growth in general.”

The occasion also marked the first official visit to the airport as mayor for Castor, who will serve on the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board during her term in office.

“There are actually businesses that moved to Tampa and brought their families here just because of this airport and how easy it is to navigate,” Castor states in the release. “I would like to thank everyone who played a role in bringing this flight here. I know it takes up to five years to bring an international flight here so it’s not something that happens overnight.”