Layover with a Local: Dutch airline KLM wants you to make new friends in Amsterdam

A new initiative by Dutch airline KLM has taken the old-school concept of pen pals and given it a modern twist with its Layover with a Local app.

It allows KLM passengers with a six-hour or longer layover in Amsterdam to meet with a local in the city centre while KLM pays for a round of drinks.

The program is currently open to residents of the US, Canada and Italy – KLM's biggest markets – whose residents don't require a visa for a quick visit into town.

Travellers who purchase flights with KLM that include an Amsterdam stopover will be sent an email from the airline encouraging them to sign up to the program.

They'll be prompted to download the app, answer a few questions about their interests or connect to Facebook.

They will then be paired with a willing Amsterdam local with similar interests.

KLM will vet the local participants, who will have the chance to win two tickets to the traveller's home country.

Most of them are likely to be language students, keen on practising their English, French or Italian language skills on visitors.

KLM will issue the traveller with free express train tickets between Schipol Airport and central Amsterdam, pre-arranging a meeting place at a bar within walking distance of the train station.