We are very pleased to be able to nominate someone from KLM to this important post on the Executive Committee. Bas is a highly experienced and passionate professional who has led both Finance & Treasury and Controlling at KLM. I warmly congratulate him on this nomination and wish him all the very best in his new role. I would like to thank Erik for his three terms as CFO. He has played a vital role on the KLM Executive Committee and has impressively shaped KLM’s financial strategy.

On behalf of all our colleagues at KLM, I would like to thank Erik wholeheartedly for the enormous commitment he has shown throughout his 20 years of service to our company. As CFO, Erik played a critical role on our Executive Committee facing numerous major developments that affected KLM and aviation in general, with the Covid crisis being perhaps the most far-reaching. KLM is back on its feet, thanks in part to Erik’s hard work and dedication. I wish him all the best for the future. In Bas, we have found a worthy successor. I look forward to working with him and the broad knowledge and experience of KLM that he brings.

I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together over all these years and how we, as a team, came through the very difficult period of the Covid pandemic. There is a strong financial team in place and KLM has largely recovered financially. I am delighted that my successor comes from our own team. I have worked with Bas for many years and am confident that he will do a fantastic job.