If we fly more direct and efficient routes, we can cut CO₂ emissions by 6% to 10% in Europe. We would also get passengers to their destinations faster. KLM is positive about the European initiative to implement a single European airspace (Single European Sky 2+). A single European airspace would contribute directly to the collective ambition of aviation to reduce emissions. In addition to our investment in fleet renewal, sustainable fuels, and efficient ground operations, the Single European Sky 2+ initiative is necessary for KLM to meet its sustainability targets.

Commitments: global, European, and national

KLM is strongly committed to making aviation more sustainable. We are working with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to bring CO₂ emissions in line with the trajectory for aviation to keep global warming well below 2°C, as laid out in the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. Within the European context, KLM supports the Fit for 55-package which really helps the aviation industry become more sustainable. KLM is also a signatory to the Sustainable Aviation Agreement in the Netherlands in which concrete reduction plans have been agreed upon between the sector and the government.

KLM President & CEO Marjan Rintel is on Aruba and will present the latest Delftware miniature to Agustin Vrolijk, Acting Governor of Aruba, and the Ecury family, tonight at 20:00 local time.

Agustin Vrolijk, acting Governor of Aruba: I congratulate KLM on its hundred-third anniversary. We are extremely proud of our cultural heritage and are therefore very honored that this iconic mansion, the Ecury complex, has been chosen as KLM's next miniature house. We are deeply honored that Aruba's cultural heritage will now travel to all KLM destinations worldwide.

Marjan Rintel, CEO and President of KLM: “I don't know whether the founders of KLM could have imagined back in 1919 that we would still be celebrating the airline’s anniversary 103 years later. This year we are doing so on lovely Aruba, a KLM destination for almost fifty years, where we are kicking off celebrations today marking a centenary of aviation on the island. KLM has had many ups and downs over the past century, but we’ve always marked our anniversary on 7 October, because we want to keep celebrating that KLM is a wonderful company that connects the Netherlands with the world. We should be proud of that.”

The Ecury House
The house is located in Oranjestad and was built in 1929, close to the site where the first aircraft landed on the island almost 100 years ago. It was the home of the esteemed Ecury family, prominent in society and business. Son Nicasio “Dundun” Ecury built his business empire from here and played an important role in the development of aviation on the island. His son, Boy Ecury, studied in the Netherlands and became a resistance hero during the Second World War. He was betrayed and executed in 1944.

The Ecury House has been part of the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba since 2009 and forms the heart of the museum. It was built in 1929 and features a facade with classical elements, Caribbean gingerbread detailing and local decorative elements. This imposing and harmonious ensemble is a unique creation by the architect Dada Picus.

1934: KLM lands on Aruba for the first time
In December 1934, a triple-engine KLM Fokker F-XVIII, christened “the Snip”, flew from Amsterdam to Curaçao in seven days, stopping in Marseille, Alicante, Casablanca, Porto Praia, Paramaribo and La Guaria. This was KLM's very first transatlantic flight and it was only possible because of the various stopovers, modifications to the aircraft's cabin and the absence of passengers. The purpose of the flight was to station an aircraft in the Antilles. The Snip touched down on Aruba for the first time on 23 December. Scheduled service between Curaçao and Aruba began on 19 January 1935, which was the first flight operated by KLM’s West-Indian Branch (WIB). KLM began operating scheduled direct service between Amsterdam and Aruba on 11 February 1974.

Centenary of aviation on Aruba
Next year marks the 100^th anniversary of the first flight’s arrival on Aruba. Since then, the airline industry has connected Aruba – also known as “One Happy Island” – with the rest of the world and fuelled its local economy, which now revolves largely around tourism. Aruba Airport welcomes around 2.5 million passengers annually and has grown significantly over time.

About the KLM Delftware miniature houses
Since the 1950s, KLM has been presenting Delftware miniature houses filled with Bols Dutch genever to World Business Class passengers on intercontinental flights. The miniatures are replicas of historic buildings in the Netherlands and abroad and are sought-after collectors' items. Since 1994, KLM has added a new miniature to its collection every year on the anniversary of its founding, 7 October.

This is the second time in KLM's history that a Delftware miniature is based on a building outside the Netherlands. On KLM's 85th anniversary, the airline presented a replica of the distinctive Penha Building in Curaçao.

Evelyn Wever-Croes, prime minister of Aruba: “At Schelpstraat No. 42, there is a house with the year “Año 1929” on the façade. The rear of this house borders on the Noordstraat (now known as John G. Emanstraat). When this house was build in the 1929, its the owners, the Ecury family, could not have guessed that one of the 13 children born there would end up becoming a war hero, far from home. Even before it was restored to its former glory, the Ecury House was always iconic. One always admired it in passing. Everyone knew the house. We, the younger generation, feel a bond with the history of this house, because we know the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the original occupants. The Ecury House forms a single entity with the adjacent Cas di Mamachi, which dates from 1911. However, the Ecury House, with its impressive façade and colonnade, is visually dominant. It casts an indelible image on one’s retina.”

Ronella Croes, CEO, Aruba Tourism Authority: “We are immensely proud that KLM has based its latest miniature house on a building on Aruba, more so because the Ecury family home was chosen. Doing so acknowledges the productive relationship we have had with KLM for many decades, as well as our shared history. Thanks in part to KLM, international tourism is thriving here, allowing us to build invaluable relationships. Choosing the Ecury family home as the model for its Delftware miniature house also spotlights our cultural heritage and brings it to the attention of a wider public. We hope this will encourage current and potential travellers to come to Aruba and explore our unique Caribbean culture.”

Joost Meijs, CEO, Queen Beatrix International Airport Aruba: “I couldn’t imagine a better way to kick off next year’s anniversary, celebrating 100 years of aviation on Aruba, than with this gift from KLM; adding an Aruban house to their collection of Delftware miniatures. This miniature marks KLM's 103rd anniversary and is a great prelude to the centenary celebrations in 2023, which will involve the entire community. We are very proud that KLM has chosen the Ecury House, one of Aruba's most cherished heritage sites. It will add an Aruban flavour to KLM's collection of miniature houses, safeguard and promote the importance of our cultural heritage, and help us achieve our cultural aim of sustainable development on the island.”

Anne Witsenburg, Director, Monuments Fund of Aruba: “It has long been the wish of Monuments Fund Aruba that KLM would model one of its miniatures on a building in Aruba. We feel deeply honoured that it has chosen such a fine historic landmark to showcase in this special way. The house has features of many different styles of architecture, including that of the Netherlands. KLM’s 103^rd miniature house highlights the ties within the Kingdom and our shared past. We have studied the history of aviation on Aruba and recognise that it has brought us freedom and economic progress. We are grateful that KLM provides us with a daily physical connection with the Netherlands and that it has made our wish come true.”

In order to draw passengers’ attention to the option of CO2 compensation, World Deal Week advertisements publicising a specific destination will also state the amount for compensation.

If, for example, you fly from Amsterdam to Johannesburg and want to compensate your share of the CO2 emissions, you will pay €12. A flight from Amsterdam to Vienna would amount to €2, while a flight from Amsterdam to Shanghai would clock up €11 in compensation. As mentioned, KLM will invest the same amount on top of that throughout the promotional period.

The possibility of compensating for their share of CO2 emissions is also brought to the attention of passengers during the booking process. Tour operators and travel agents are also asked to bring the CO2 campaign to the attention of passengers. Passengers and travel agents can use My Trip to arrange CO2 compensation, even after the booking has been made.

CO2ZERO

KLM launched the CO2ZERO compensation programme in 2008. Since October 2017, KLM has been investing the compensation in a reforestation project in Panama known as the CO2OL Tropical Mix. This project involves converting former meadowlands into new forests. The project, which is certified according to the Global Goals’ Gold Standard, combines the conservation of biodiversity and the restoration of ecosystems with sustainable timber production (FSC certified) and sustainable cocoa production (UTZ certified). In addition, it generates local employment opportunities.

Fly Responsibly

With Fly Responsibly, KLM is committed to creating a more sustainable future for aviation. It includes everything KLM already does – and will do – to improve the sustainability of its operations. But real progress will only be achieved if the entire sector works together. With Fly Responsibly, KLM therefore invites consumers to opt for CO2 compensation. Companies are invited to compensate for business travel through the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme.

For more information about KLM and sustainability, see https://flyresponsibly.klm.com/nl#home

BB service on the Google Assistant based on artificial intelligence
KLM’s Blue Bot is based on artificial intelligence, which is linked to a combination of KLM and external technologies. BB is self-learning and has her own personality: helpful, friendly, professional, and edgy. The more you use her, the smarter and more personal she becomes. BB was already able to assist with the booking of a ticket through Messenger (in English) and the packing of a suitcase on the Google Assistant (in English). Now she can be used to search for a flight through the Google Assistant in both English and Dutch. BB will offer more and more services on this voice-activated platform and other social media channels in the coming period.

The Google Assistant in phased roll-out
The Dutch Google Assistant will be rolled out in phases by Google in the coming period. This assistant helps users find answers more quickly - hands free - and to get things done faster. The Dutch version is currently only available for the Google Assistant on smartphones and tablets. This will later be expanded to include other mobile devices such as Google’s speaker, the Google Home. The English language version has already been around for some time.

KLM on social media
Since 2009, KLM has gained a reputation as pioneer in the field of social media services and campaigns. KLM has over 25M fans and followers on various social media platforms. Through these channels, KLM receives over 180,000 mentions every week, 35,000 of which are questions or remarks. These are personally answered by more than 300 service agents, who form the world’s largest and dedicated social media team. On WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, WeChat, and KakaoTalk, KLM offers her customers 24/7 service in nine different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. During office hours, 7 days per week, KLM also offers services in Italian. KLM was the first airline in the world to offer passengers the option of receiving their flight documents and status updates on WhatsApp, Messenger and Twitter. It was also the first Western airline to offer this on the Chinese platform WeChat.

In this video, Arnold’s great-grandson, accompanied by two KLM stewardesses, comes to pick “Grandpa Nol” up for an unforgettable flight, making a dream come true after 83 years!

This cooperation marks the first time a leading aviation company has joined forces with a top tier consultancy to bring to market a new service—a jointly developed artificial intelligence-based system of integrated solutions and tailored, proven tools.

Over the past 18 months, KLM and BCG have joined forces behind the common belief that operating as a cost center and serving a purely executional role must be considered a thing of the past. In an increasingly complex and busy environment, the reliability of an airline’s operations is a growing competitive advantage. KLM has the ambition to remain a frontrunner.

Deploying common teams made up of employees of KLM Operations Decision Support and Operations frontline staff, BCG's Airline practice, and members of BCG Gamma (an AI & Advanced Analytics entity of over 450 world-class data scientists, data engineers, and software developers), this KLM-BCG partnership has developed a state of the art solution based on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced optimization that addresses all elements of airline operations.

With these tools, airlines will be able to tackle the most complex decisions pertaining to fleet, crew, ground services, and network, with a focus on breaking down the typical siloes across these departments, whether it concerns long-term strategic questions or disruption management optimization on the day of operations. This requires a deep understanding and optimization of tradeoffs across cost, operational performance, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement. With the first set of successful solutions already operational at KLM, both KLM and BCG are ready to launch this service to the aviation industry worldwide.

About KLM
For 98 years, KLM has been a pioneer in the airline industry and is the oldest airline to still be operating under its original name. KLM aims to be the most customer-focused, innovative, and efficient airline in Europe, offering reliable service and top-quality products.

KLM carried a record 32.7 million passengers in 2017, offering its passengers direct flights to 165 destinations with a modern fleet of more than 160 aircraft. The airline employs a workforce of more 32,000 people worldwide. The KLM Group as a whole transported more than 41 million passengers in 2017. In addition to KLM, the KLM Group includes KLM Cityhopper, Transavia, and Martinair. The KLM network connects the Netherlands with all of the world’s key economic regions, and is a powerful engine driving the Netherlands’ economy.

For more information about KLM, please visit KLM.com, KLM Newsroom, Facebook, Twitter and the KLM Blog.

About The Boston Consulting Group
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world’s leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with offices in more than 90 cities in 50 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com.

• East London, Cape town, Durban and George from Johannesburg
• Durban also from Cape town

You can find more information about our flights to South-Africa on our website. 

The syndicate includes 12 leading banks. ABN AMRO and Rabobank acted as Coordinators. Bank of China, Bayerische Landesbank, Citigroup, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and ING bank joined the transaction as Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers. BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Groupe Crédit Mutuel-CIC, HSBC and Lloyds bank participated in this credit facility as Mandated Lead Arranger. Rabobank remains the Facility Agent.

Sustainable biojet fuel contributes significantly to making aviation more sustainable, but is still two to three times more expensive than fossil fuel. Södra, Sweden’s largest cooperative of forest owners, based in Växjö, will be the first non-Dutch partner in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme. Together with Södra and the City of Växjö, KLM and SkyNRG will also investigate the feasibility of producing biojet fuel in the region around Växjö.

CO₂ compensation on the Växjö route
As it is not yet possible to fly entirely on sustainable biojet fuel, KLM and Växjö Småland Airport are joining forces to pay jointly for the total CO₂ compensation for flights to and from Växjö. The money will go to the reforestation initiative CO2OL Tropical Mix in Panama, a ‘Gold Standard for the Global Goals’ project. The project converts degraded meadows into mixed forests by planting a mix of native tree species and some exotic species. In addition, the project’s activities create long-term employment thereby providing a sustainable source of income for the local population.

Växjö
Växjö is the capital of the Kronoberg region located in the south of Sweden. The city has an entrepreneurial climate and a renowned university. It is surrounded by beautiful nature, offers a wide range of outdoor activities, and has an excellent gastronomic reputation.

You can find more information about thise new destination on our Växjö page.

Strategic cooperation with GOL
Fortaleza was chosen as KLM’s third destination partly due to the cooperative relationship already in place with Brazilian carrier GOL. GOL’s strategic location, economic and tourist development, and new air links to major cities in northern and north-eastern Brazil make Fortaleza an attractive destination for KLM. KLM’s partner Air France will also be operating flights from Paris to Fortaleza as of today.

Three weekly flights using Airbus A330-200 equipment featuring the new World Business Class
The flights on Thursdays and Saturdays will be operated using Airbus A330-200 equipment with 18 seats in Business Class, 35 seats in Economy Comfort and 215 seats in Economy Class. A third weekly flight will be added on Mondays as of 2 July 2018.

• Flight KL 707 will depart from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 12:50 hours and arrive at 17:20 hours in Fortaleza.
• Flight KL 708 will depart from Fortaleza at 19:50 hours and arrive back in Amsterdam at 10:00 hours the following day.

KLM is currently equipping all its Airbus aircraft with a new interior in World Business Class, and the Economy Class is being renewed in a number of Airbus A330-200 aircraft. By November 2018, KLM’s World Business Class will boast only full-flat seats to its intercontinental destinations.

KLM currently serves two other Brazilian destinations: seven times a week to both Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

You can read more about the Fortaleza destination in the March edition of KLM’s iFly Magazine. You can download the below factsheet about Fortaleza in the download box on the upper left side of this page. 

* From May to the start of July 2018 twice a week and from 2 July onwards, adding a third weekly flight.

Do you want to know more about the pick-up of a new Embraer? Take a look at our vlogs about the test flights and the ferry flight back to the Netherlands.

In October, the coffee will also be available for KLM staff in the Netherlands.

Dutch cooperation

For more information about Jacobs Douwe Egberts Professional, see www.jacobsdouweegbertsprofessional.nl.

The five Spring wines were selected by KLM’s own Wine Panel for World Business Class. The panel tests the wine’s quality, paying special attention to the change in taste that occurs at high altitude.

KLM enjoys bringing its passengers in touch with the richness of the Dutch culture through its products and services. The partnership between the Activin Wine Group and the Rijksmuseum contributes towards this aim.

On the Dining in Business Class page, you can find more information about the offering on board. You can also take a look at the special wine menu. 

KLM is the first European airline that will fly with the new Boeing 787-10. The first airplane will be delivered in June, 2019. The new Dreamliner is an extended version of the already operating Boeing 787-9.

KLM World Business Class
KLM is constantly striving to improve customer experience. This is exemplified by JAMCO’s Venture seats, which offer passengers greater personal space and comfort, with full-flat recline and an 18.5-inch entertainment screen. Another new feature is the “Do not disturb” button on the armrest, which passengers can turn on and off at will. The middle seats in WBC have a movable partition, allowing passengers to opt for maximum privacy or for an optimum shared travel experience.

Aisle is directly accessible
There will be 38 World Business Class seats aboard these new aircraft. All of these seats will offer direct access to the aisle. The new seats will be KLM-branded, based on a design created in cooperation with Hella Jongerius.

JAMCO Group
The JAMCO Group is a Japanese corporation serving the aviation industry. It has divisions for aircraft interiors, aircraft components, aircraft maintenance, and aircraft seats. JAMCO was established in 1955 and is a longstanding supplier of Boeing and Airbus. JAMCO supplies the galleys installed aboard KLM’s long-haul fleet.

KLM invests in fleet renewal
Once again in 2018, KLM will continue to invest in the renewal of its fleet to meet its customers’ needs and wishes. The Orchidee is the second Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to arrive in 2018. KLM will take possession of its next Dreamliner in August.

The Boeing 787 creates less ambient noise, consumes less fuel, and gives off fewer carbon dioxide emissions. It brings us ever closer to our aim to reduce CO₂ emissions by 20% in 2020 compared to 2011. The Dreamliner is built mainly of carbon fibre composite which can be cut easily, so the manufacturing process creates less waste.

It also offers numerous advantages in terms of passenger comfort. The increased cabin air pressure helps passengers to arrive at their destination feeling well rested. And all passengers have access to WiFi during the flight.

Last Episode
KLM is still looking for a special travel story for the last episode of “The Journey.” Through podcast.klm.com, we are asking listeners to share their personal travel stories.

Innovation
KLM is constantly developing innovative forms of communication. Podcasts are growing in popularity around the world, and KLM sees them as an exceptional way of establishing contact with passengers.

The Embraer aircraft also perfectly coincide with KLM’s sustainability policy. Owing to their advanced features, the Embraer jets burn less fuel, which means they emit less CO₂. The fuel consumption of the new E175+ aircraft is an impressive 22% lower than that of the Fokker 70s they replaced.

Europe’s largest Embraer fleet
KLM Cityhopper has the largest Embraer fleet in Europe. Since KLC phased out its last Fokker aircraft, its fleet has consisted entirely of Embraers. KLM currently uses its “E-jets” to operate around 300 short-haul flights a day, mostly to European business destinations. The E190 has 100 seats, while the E175+ has 88 seats.

With the three new arrivals, the fleet will consist of a total of 48 aircraft. In April 2018, KLC will take delivery of the 49^th Embraer, which is the last of the current order.

With the ‘bottle of warmth’ campaign, KLM hopes to increase her brand awareness in the Chinese market. KLM will keep organizing similar campaigns in the future with the goal to conquer the hearts of her clients ‘at first flight’. How? Through distinguishable thoughtful and caring services.

Baggage

The Olympic team’s baggage was specially labelled in South Korea. It then passed through security, was put in separate containers, and taken aboard the KLM aircraft. The containers were loaded onto a lorry at Schiphol, which followed the athletes’ bus to the Olympic Stadium. The remaining passengers on flight KL854 left the aircraft in the usual way, through a boarding bridge to the gate.

KLM is the NOC*NSF’s preferred carrier.

The Embraer aircraft also support KLM’s customer focus. The new aircraft offer greater comfort and more space for passengers, therefore helping to create memorable journeys.

KLM Cityhopper currently operates the biggest Embraer fleet in Europe. By mid-2018, the overall KLC fleet will consist of no less than 49 aircraft produced by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer. Delivery of the 46^th Embraer is expected in March.