Because, nowadays, this engine type isn’t used very often, KLM decided to donate a CF6-50 engine to the university where students can use it for training purposes. “We firmly believe that tomorrow’s aircraft engineers can learn a lot from this masterpiece,” said Rob Duivis, programme manager at KLM Engine Services. KLM now uses more economical engines such as the GEnx-1B type for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The engine was symbolically handed over today by KLM Engineering & Maintenance to Hester Bijl, Dean of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. After the engine was handed over, Mr Paul Chün, Vice President Engine Services KLM, gave a lecture at the university.

Also read our KLM Blog "Farewell to One of Our Last GE CF6-50 Engines"

KLM’s Dutch roots are also a central theme in the From Holland Festival. In October and November, passengers on all flights originating in Amsterdam can enjoy products and articles with a Dutch touch.

The starters, main courses and desserts served in World Business Class were created by the successful chef Mario Ridder of the two-star restaurant De Zwethheul in Schipluiden near Delft. Aside from wines grown in the Netherlands or created abroad, passengers will also have the chance to sample a variety of Dutch snacks such as kroketten, poffertjes and cheese cubes. The Economy Class menu includes meatballs with mashed potatoes, white beans and French beans. Dutch films will also be available on the inflight entertainment system.

And, during the first month, all passengers can send home a picture postcard designed by the Dutch duo BLOND. KLM will send the cards with the help of PostNL.

“KLM is once again proud to be working with one of the Netherlands’ most successful chefs. Mario Ridder is the latest in a series of great chefs to create meals for KLM; other names include Sergio Herman and Jonnie Boer,” said Erik Varwijk, Executive Vice President KLM Commercial.

KLM President & CEO, Peter Hartman explains, “Our Delft Blue houses are popular collectables. Around the world collectors do all they can to complete their collections. And I can promise, they can’t stop collecting yet, because KLM will be presenting these houses for many years to come. We have faith in the future and plan to celebrate many more birthdays.” The 90th house is a replica of ‘Wester-Amstel’ house, one of the oldest existing merchant’s houses in Holland. ‘Wester-Amstel’ house was built in 1662 by Nicolaas Pancras, then Mayor of Amsterdam and a governor of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Peter Hartman presented the first copy of the 90th KLM Delft Blue House to the Mayor of Amstelveen, Jan van Zanen, and to the owner of the original building, Mr. Søren Movig.

To mark KLM’s 90th anniversary a special book has been compiled on the KLM House Collection, entitled ‘House No. 90’. It contains all 90 houses along with a history of the original buildings and stories about the previous residents. Mr Hartman presented the first copy to Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven.

The book presentation was followed by the opening of the photographic exhibition ‘90 Years of KLM’ at Museum Van der Togt. The exhibition presents images of KLM’s rich history and has drawn strongly on the KLM Historical Photo Archive, which is managed by the Maria Austria Institute. Paul Huf and Rineke Dijkstra are among the photographers whose work gives a wide-ranging impression of 90 years of KLM history. There are historical images of Amsterdam, old Schiphol, the airfield at Waalhaven in Rotterdam, and famous and less well-known passengers. Ten recent photographs by Hans Willemsen and Marco Borggreve are also included. The exhibition of photographs is supplemented with historical posters, material that used to be used on board, and the new women’s uniform, designed by Mart Visser. The complete collection of KLM Delft Blue Houses is also on display at Museum Van der Togt.