What is the Oldest Airline in the World?
On October 7, 1919, eight Dutch businessmen and investors founded the national airline of the Netherlands, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, commonly known as KLM.
At an age of 107-years-old, KLM has become the oldest airline in the world, followed by Colombia’s Avianca, founded on December 5, 1919, and Australia's Qantas, founded on November 16, 1920.
First directed by aviation pioneer and First Director Albert Plesman, the founding of KLM was anchored by the belief that “the ocean of the air unites all people,” and that utilizing newly discovered military flight technology would transform a new age of aviation for global peace, connection, and international air commerce.
On May 17, 1920, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operated its inaugural flight from London’s Croydon Airport, United Kingdom, to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands, operated by a leased De Havilland DH-16, flown by Captain Jerry Shaw.
From operating a leased De Havilland DH-16, to now operating a fleet of 126 aircraft; their biggest being the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner and smallest the Embraer E175, KLM flies to 171 cities around the world, with their longest flight being from Amsterdam to Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport in Argentina, operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
KLM recently merged with Air France in May 2004 to form the Air France-KLM Group, which generates 114 billion euros annually across the European Union, while supporting 1.2 million jobs.
That being said, on September 13, 2004, KLM joined the SkyTeam aviation alliance to restructure international hub competition between Schiphol and Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris, France.
Overall, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has brought significant advancement to the global growth of aviation, moving the world for over 100 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What does KLM stand for?
KLM stands for Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V.
2) When did KLM merge with Air France?
KLM merged with Air France in 2004, forming the Air France-KLM Group while retaining its distinct brand identity and joining the SkyTeam alliance.
Source: https://airlinegeeks.com/2023/10/08/the-history-behind-the-world-s-oldest-airline/
3) How many aircraft are in KLM’s fleet?
126 aircraft are in KLM’s fleet.
Source: https://www.klm.com/information/travel-class-extra-options/aircraft-types
Why it matters
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ century-old history set foundational standards for international air travel.
Sources
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