Martinair
A Dutch scheduled cargo airline and wholly owned KLM subsidiary, operating long-haul freighter services from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
About Martinair
Martinair is a Dutch cargo airline founded in 1958 as Martin's Air Charter by aviator Martin Schröder. Originally an independent charter operator carrying both passengers and freight, it later adopted the Martinair name and developed an extensive international network. KLM became its sole owner in 2009. Martinair ended passenger services in 2011 and now operates exclusively as a scheduled freight carrier within the Air France KLM Martinair Cargo business.
The airline's principal base is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, one of Europe's most important air-cargo gateways. Its dedicated freighters connect Amsterdam with major logistics centres in regions including Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Destinations and operating patterns can change with seasonal demand and freight contracts, while the wider Air France KLM Martinair Cargo network also uses cargo capacity aboard Air France and KLM passenger aircraft.
Martinair's operating fleet is centred on Boeing 747-400 full freighters, whose main-deck loading capability suits large, heavy and unusually shaped consignments. These aircraft carry freight rather than passengers, so Martinair does not offer economy, premium economy, business or first-class cabins. Its services are designed for shipments such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, express freight, live animals and other specialist cargo requiring controlled handling or dedicated capacity.
Martinair is not independently listed as a member of a global passenger-airline alliance. Its parent, KLM, belongs to SkyTeam, but that membership does not turn Martinair's cargo flights into bookable passenger services. Likewise, Martinair has no passenger frequent-flyer programme of its own. Flying Blue is the loyalty programme associated with KLM and Air France, but travellers cannot earn miles by booking seats on Martinair freighters.
A notable strength is Martinair's access to Schiphol's cargo infrastructure and the broader commercial network of Air France KLM Martinair Cargo. Its Boeing 747 freighters also provide useful capacity for shipments that cannot easily travel in passenger-aircraft holds. The principal limitation for ordinary travellers is fundamental: Martinair is no longer a passenger airline, so flight searches displaying the MP code generally concern cargo operations rather than seats available for public purchase.
Good to know
Flying with Martinair — what to expect
Cargo Flights Only
Martinair does not sell passenger seats. Its scheduled operations transport freight, even when an MP flight number appears in aviation databases.
Schiphol Cargo Base
Operations are centred on Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, where shipments can connect with the wider Air France KLM Martinair Cargo network.
No Cabin Allowance
Passenger baggage and carry-on rules do not apply because Martinair operates freighters. Shipment limits and packaging requirements must be confirmed through the relevant freight forwarder or cargo booking channel.
Specialist Shipments
Martinair's full freighters can accommodate specialist cargo, including temperature-sensitive goods and unusually large consignments. Handling conditions vary by shipment type and destination.
Schedules May Change
Cargo frequencies and routings can respond to commercial demand, seasonality and operational requirements. Shippers should verify the current itinerary and acceptance deadline before delivery.
Route network
Popular routes operated by Martinair
Notable destinations on Martinair's network.
MPAmsterdamdirectMPDubaidirectMPHong KongdirectMPSeouldirectDestination list is indicative of Martinair's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Netherlands
Other airlines based in Netherlands
FAQ
Martinair — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Martinair's primary hub and operating base is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands. It is a major gateway for the wider Air France KLM Martinair Cargo network.
- Martinair does not publish a stable standalone destination total for its dedicated freighter operation. The much larger Air France KLM Martinair Cargo network also includes freight capacity on Air France and KLM passenger flights, so its network figure should not be treated as Martinair's own route count.
- Martinair operates cargo services from Amsterdam to logistics hubs in regions including Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Its schedules are freight-driven and may change more frequently than a typical passenger network.
- Martinair does not sell plane tickets to passengers, so there is no cheapest period for passenger fares. Freight pricing depends on factors such as route, shipment weight, dimensions, commodity, capacity and required handling.
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is Martinair's principal departure point. Major cargo stations such as Hong Kong, Seoul Incheon and Dubai also feature in its international freighter operations.
- Martinair's cargo network and individual routings can change with demand, and the airline does not promote a single longest route for travellers. Because it carries freight rather than passengers, no Martinair long-haul route is available for public seat booking.
- Martinair has no passenger carry-on allowance because it does not operate passenger flights. Cargo dimensions, weights and packaging requirements depend on the shipment and should be checked with the booking freight forwarder.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Martinair itself does not sell passenger seats, so any passenger result should be checked carefully to confirm the actual operating carrier.