'KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' (in full: 'Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij', literally ''Royal Air Transport Company''; usual English: 'Royal Dutch Airlines') is an
airline subsidiary of
Air France-KLM based in
Amsterdam, the
Netherlands. It operates domestic and worldwide scheduled passenger and cargo services to over 90 destinations. Its main base is
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
[1]
Prior to its merger with
Air France, KLM was the national
airline of the
Netherlands. KLM is the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. It has 30,118 employees (at March
2007).
merged with KLM in May
2004, resulting in the creation of Air France-KLM. Air France-KLM is incorporated under French law and its headquarters are located at
Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport near
Paris. Air France-KLM is the largest airline company in the world in terms of operating revenues, and the third largest in the world (largest in Europe) in terms of revenue-passenger-kilometres (RPKs).
[2] Both Air France and KLM continue to fly under their distinct brand names.
Air France-KLM is part of the
SkyTeam Alliance with
Delta Air Lines,
Aeroméxico,
Korean Air,
Czech Airlines,
Alitalia,
Northwest Airlines,
Aeroflot and
Continental Airlines.
History
KLM was founded on
October 7,
1919, making it the oldest carrier in the world still operating under its original name. The first KLM flight was on
May 17,
1920, with a flight from
London Northolt to
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport carrying two
English journalists and a number of newspapers. It was flown by an
Aircraft Transport and Travel Airco de Havilland DH16, callsign G-EALU, piloted by Jerry Shaw. In 1920 KLM carried 440 passengers and 22 tons of freight. In 1921 KLM started regularly scheduled services. By 1926 they were offering flights to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, Paris, London, Bremen, Copenhagen, and Malmo; using primarily
Fokker F2 & F3.
Intercontinental service to the
Netherlands East Indies (today's
Republic of Indonesia) started in 1929 using
Fokker F7-B, although the first non-scheduled KLM flight had been made in 1924 by
Fokker F7 registration H-NACC piloted by van der Hoop. In 1930 KLM carried 15,143 passengers. The first
transatlantic KLM route was between
Amsterdam and
Curaçao in December 1934 using the
Fokker F-XVIII "Snip." On
May 21,
1946, KLM was the first continental European airline to launch scheduled service to
New York. In 1950 KLM carried 356,069 passengers. On 25 July 1957 the airline introduced its first flight simulator for the Douglas DC7C, the last KLM aircraft with piston engines which was used for the opening of the first trans-polar route from
Amsterdam-
Tokyo on
November 1,
1958.
In March 1960, KLM introduced the first
Douglas DC-8 jet aircraft into the its fleet. In 1966 KLM introduced the Douglas DC9 on European and Middle East routes. The new
Schiphol Airport opened in April 1967 and in 1968 the Douglas DC8-63 entered service, with 244 seats the largest aircraft at the time. KLM was the first airline to put the higher gross-weight Boeing 747-200B in to service in February 1971 with
Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines, beginning the era of
widebody jets. In 1980 KLM carried 9,715,069 passengers. In 1983, KLM reached a deal with
Boeing to convert some of its
Boeing 747-200s to SUD (stretched upper deck) configuration. This consisted of returning the aircraft to the Boeing factory in
Everett,
Washington. The work started in 1984 and finished in 1986, the aircraft became Boeing 747-200SUD, which the airline operated in addition to
Boeing 747-300 aircraft. In June 1989, KLM introduced the first
Boeing 747-400. Later that year, in July, KLM acquired 20% of
Northwest Airlines, eventually forming a strong alliance between the two airlines. In 1990 KLM carried 16,000,000 passengers. In March 1994 both KLM and
Northwest Airlines introduced World Business Class on intercontinental routes, and in July 1995, KLM introduced its first
Boeing 767-300ER.
In March and June 2002, KLM announced that it would be renewing its intercontinental fleets by replacing the
Boeing 767s,
Boeing 747-300s, and eventually the
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 with
Boeing 777-200ERs and
Airbus A330-200s. The first
Boeing 777 was received on
October 25,
2003, entering commercial service on the
Amsterdam-
New York route, while the first
Airbus A330-200 was introduced on
August 25,
2005 and entered commercial service on the
Amsterdam-
Washington Dulles route.
KLM Convair
As of
March 2007 KLM started using the
Amadeus reservation system, along with partner
Kenya Airways.
Corporate organization
KLM is listed on the stock exchanges of Amsterdam, New York and Paris.
Subsidiaries:
★
KLM Cityhopper (formerly:
NLM Cityhopper)
★
KLM Cargo
★
KLM Asia - See KLM Asia
★ KLM Flight Academy
★
Transavia Airlines, wholly owned Low Cost Subsidiary of KLM
★ 50% share in
Martinair, other 50% owned by
Maersk, after taking over
P&O Nedlloyd
★ 26% share in
Kenya Airways ,
Former subsidiaries:
★ KLM Helicopters
★
KLM uk was a KLM subsidiary until merged with KLM Cityhopper.
★
Buzz, the low-cost airline of KLM uk
★
KLM exel, a commuter airline.
Boeing 747 in KLM-Asia livery
Merger
On
30 September 2003,
Air France and KLM announced that they would in future be known as
Air France-KLM. This entity was first offered on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange on
5 May 2004. The takeover of KLM by Air France marked the end of the oldest independent airline in the world. The ''Royal'' adjective will likely remain for the foreseeable future. Its independent identity is guaranteed to 2008, but eventually it is anticipated that its operations will be merged into those of the French company. In the meantime, it does not appear that KLM's longstanding
joint venture with
Northwest Airlines will be affected. Both KLM and Northwest joined the
SkyTeam Alliance in September 2004.
Presidents - CEOs
★
Albert Plesman (1919 - 1953)
★
Fons Aler (1953 - 1961)
★
Ernst van der Beugel (1961-1963)
★
Horatius Albarda (1963 - 1965)
★
Gerrit van der Wal (1965 - 1973)
★
Sergio Orlandini (1973-1987)
★
Jan de Soet (1987 - 1991)
★
Pieter Bouw (1991 - 1997)
★
L. M. van Wijk (1997 - 2007)
★
Peter Hartman (2007 - present)
KLM Delft Blue houses
Selection of KLM Delft Blue Houses
Since 1952 KLM has presented its first class and since 1993 its Business Class passengers with small
Delftware, blue and white
porcelain reproductions of old Dutch canal houses, which are filled with
Bols jenever liquor
[1]. There are 87 different houses, each numbered and representing the number of years the KLM is in operation. Each year a new house is presented and will receive the next consecutive number. All houses are reproductions of actual historic houses in the Netherlands or its former colonies and are now collectibles.
Destinations
Main articles: KLM destinations
Fleet
The KLM fleet consists of the following aircraft:
[3]
'KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Fleet'| Aircraft | Total | Passengers
(Europe Select
★ /Economy) | Routes | Notes |
|---|
| Airbus A330-200 | 9
(1 order) | 251 (30/221) | Africa, Europe, and North America
(once daily London Heathrow flight) | |
| Boeing 737-300 | 14 | 127 (39/88) | Europe | |
| Boeing 737-400 | 13 | 147 (39/108) | Europe | |
| Boeing 737-700 | (7 orders)
(7 options) | | Europe | |
| Boeing 737-800 | 15
(7 orders) | 171 (54/117) | Europe | |
| Boeing 737-900 | 5 | 189 (51/138) | Europe | |
| Boeing 747-400 | 22 | 'Standard'
428 (42/386)
———————————————
'Passengers & Cargo'
280 (42/238) | Africa, Mexico, Asia, North America,
Caribbean and South America | |
| Boeing 747-400ERF | 4 | Cargo | Asia | One aircraft operated by Air France Cargo till 2008 |
| Boeing 777-200ER | 15 | 327 (35/292) | Africa, Asia, North America and South America | |
| Boeing 777-300ER | (4 orders) | 428 (35/393) | | Entry into service: 2008 |
| McDonnell-Douglas MD-11 | 10 | 294 (24/270) | Africa, Caribbean, North America, Asia |
The average age of the KLM fleet is 9.9 years as of February 2007.
★ The Boeing customer code for KLM is x06 (ex. 747-406, 737-906)
★ KLM has announced that it has converted 3 of its remaining 4
Boeing 777-200ER orders to
777-300ER airframes in addition to a single fresh order. KLM plans to have 2
Boeing 777-300ERs introduced into its fleet in 2008.
★ The orders for the
Airbus A330-200, as well as the
Boeing 777-200ER will be replacements for the
Boeing 767-300ER and
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, but KLM is also considering adding the
Boeing 787 or the
Airbus A350. KLM has expressed little interest in the
Airbus A380.
★ Boeing has revealed that KLM has converted six options for
Boeing 737-800 aircraft into firm orders for delivery in
2008. They will replace older Boeing 737 models which will be retired from service.
[4]
★ On Saturday, April 28 2007, KLM received its new and final 777-200ER from Boeing. Her registration is PH-BQP, with the name on the front that says 'Pont Du Gard'. KLM is now awaiting the 777-300ER, which the first of four will be delivered somewhere in February 2008.
Cabin
KLM offers
Business Class and
Economy class on its aircraft. On shorthaul aircraft, Flexible Economy Class is called Europe Select, while on longhaul aircraft Business Class is called World Business Class.
World Business Class
World Business Class offers a 60 inch pitch on all longhaul aircraft. The
Boeing 777-200ER and
Airbus A330-200 aircraft offer a 170 degree angled lie-flat seat with a 10.4" TV monitor with AVOD (Audio Video on Demand), email/text messaging, a privacy canopy, a massage function, and laptop power ports.
Boeing 747-400 and
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft offer cradle seats with a 150 degree recline and personal TVs offering 12 channels of video and 12 channels of audio,. All WBC seats offer personal reading lamps, leg/foot rests, and personal telephones (on the back of the game console on the
Boeing 777 and
Airbus A330 aircraft).
The
Boeing 747-400 and
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft are being configured with the new World Business Class seats as well as new inflight entertainment in economy, although this upgrade will not include personal televisions in economy. Pre-departure perks include a fully flexible reservation, check-in desks, lounge access, priority boarding, and 150% Flying Blue miles. Onboard, passengers are treated to a three course meal with menus, pre-departure beverages, and snacks, which are available throughout the flight.
Europe Select
Europe Select is offered on all
Boeing 737 aircraft, is KLM's premium product on shorter sectors, offering a 33 inch pitch, a meal service on board (hot or cold meals depend on the length of the flight), priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, double Flying Blue miles, and fully flexible booking.
KLM Economy
KLM Economy offers a 31" pitch on all longhaul aircraft except the
Airbus A330-200, which offers a 32" pitch.
Boeing 777-200ER and
Airbus A330-200 aircraft offer personal TVs with AVOD and personal telephones on the back of the gaming console, headrests, and an email/text messaging function. All other longhaul aircraft offer mainscreen movies. KLM Cityhopper aircraft offer no entertainment.
KLM Asia
'
KLM Asia' is a wholly KLM owned subsidiary, registered in
Taiwan. The airline was established in
1995 in order to operate
flights to
Taipei, without compromising its landing rights in the
People's Republic of China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory.
KLM Asia's livery does not feature Dutch national symbols, such as the
Dutch flag, nor a stylised
Dutch Crown. Instead, it features a
Chinese name, and the KLM Asia logo.
KLM Asia fleet
KLM Asia has 6
Boeing 747-400 Combis.
★ PH-BFC - City of Calgary
★ PH-BFD - City of Dubai
★ PH-BFF - City of Freetown
★ PH-BFH - City of Hong Kong
★ PH-BFM - Mexico City
★ PH-BFP - City of Paramaribo
Incidents and accidents
★ On
December 20,
1934, a KLM
Douglas DC-2, PH-AJU "''Uiver''", crashed at Rutbah Wells, Iraq - all survived.
★ On
July 14,
1935, a KLM Fokker F.XXII PH-AJQ "''Kwikstaart''" crashed and burned just outside
Schiphol, killing four crew and two passengers - 14 other occupants survived.
★ On
July 20,
1935, a KLM Douglas DC-2, PH-AKG "''Gaai''" crashed in an Alpine pass near
San Bernardino, killing all three crew and all ten passengers.
[5]
★ In June 1942 the KLM DC-3 'Ibis',
flight 777 was shot down by German fighter planes over the Bay of Biscay on its scheduled route from Lisbon to Bristol. The plane was carrying the actor Leslie Howard. The wreckage, crew and passengers were never found.
★ On
January 26,
1947, a KLM
Douglas Dakota, PH-TCR, crashed after takeoff from Copenhagen, killing all 22 onboard, including
Prince Gustaf Adolf of
Sweden.
★ On
October 20,
1948, a KLM Lockheed Constellation, PH-TEN "''Nijmegen''", crashed near Prestwick,
Scotland, killing all 40 aboard. (see
KLM Constellation air disaster 1948)
★ On
July 12,
1949, a KLM Lockheed Constellation, PH-TDF "''Franeker''", crashed into a 674 ft high
Ghatkopar hill near Bombay,
India, killing all 45 aboard. Thirteen of the dead were American news correspondents.
★ On
March 23,
1952, a KLM Lockheed Constellation, PH-TFF "''Venlo''", suffered a propeller failure and subsequent engine fire during landing in
Bangkok. All 44 passengers and crew escaped shortly before the fire completely consumed the plane. A Thai ground crewman ran into the burning aircraft and returned with an infant who had been left behind.
[6]
★ On
September 5,
1954,
KLM Flight 633, a Lockheed Super Constellation, PH-LKY "''Triton''", ditched in the River Shannon after takeoff from
Shannon Airport in
Ireland. 28 out of 56 people on board (46 passengers and 10 crew) were killed.
★ On
March 27,
1977,
KLM Flight 4805, a Boeing 747-206, PH-BUF "''Rhine''" &
Pan Am Flight 1736, a Boeing 747-121, N736PA "''Clipper Victor''", collided at
Tenerife North Airport on the island of
Tenerife,
Canary Islands, killing 583 people. The incident is still the worst accident in aviation history.
Gallery
References
1. Directory: World Airlines
2. All Business
3. KLM Corporate Fleet Information
4. Airliner World January 2007
5. ('Dutch') Albert Heijn, ed ''KL-50 - logboek van vijftig jaar vliegen''. Meijer, Amsterdam.
6. KLM PH-TFF Bangkok Crash
External links
★
KLM
★
Air France KLM Finance
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