KLM Newsroom

Royal Decoration Awarded To KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman

Fri, 28 Jun 2013 16:31:00 +0200

In her speech, State Secretary Mansveld remarked on Mr Hartman’s passion, saying: “This is what they mean when they say that someone has a ‘blue heart’, with kerosene running through his veins.” The state secretary went on acknowledge the role Mr Hartman had played in the merger between Air France and KLM, his attention for the network, the development of the hub, and the jobs thus created. “Mr Hartman has made an important contribution to protecting KLM interests and, in so doing, the broader interests of the Netherlands within the Air France KLM Group.”

In the presence of hundreds of guests and the board of the AIR FRANCE KLM Group, the state secretary thanked Peter Hartman for his cooperation and wished his successor, Camiel Eurlings, the best of success in his new role.

Peter Hartman was appointed president & CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in 2007. He will be succeeded by Camiel Eurlings on 1 July. Effective the same date, the KLM Board of Managing Directors will consist of Pieter Elbers, Erik Varwijk and Camiel Eurlings. Mr Eurlings joined the statutory board of KLM on 1 July 2011. Peter Hartman is appointed vice-chairman of the AIR FRANCE KLM Group and will hold a seat on the Board of Directors.

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra gives unique concert aboard KLM flight

Fri, 21 Jun 2013 11:57:53 +0200

The entire Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will be aboard the flight. This year, the orchestra is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a unique world tour spanning six continents. The inflight concert marks the start of the South American leg of the tour. KLM is the global partner of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra during its world tour. KLM will transport the musicians as well as all their instruments.

“KLM is honoured to transport the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra to São Paulo today,” said KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman. “At the same time, we’ll let the rest of the world share the joy of an inflight mini-concert via our social media channels.”

An aircraft isn’t a concert hall, presenting various challenges to the members of the orchestra who will be giving the concert on board. They will be celebrating World Music Day by playing works by Mozart and Beethoven.

The Boeing 777-300 that will operate the flight is equipped with WiFi, enabling passengers to access the internet and send emails and text messages. The concert will be captured on video, edited during the flight and uploaded on various social media channels, including www.youtube.com/klm.

For updates via social media:
www.twitter.com/klm

#KLMRCO
#Skysymphony
#Worldmusicday
and the Vine app

www.facebook.com/klm

KLM’s “Royal” Predicate Extended

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:18:00 +0100

The predicate “Royal”
The Royal Airline Company for the Netherlands & Colonies was established on 7 October 1919. After the Second World War, the airline’s name was changed to Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines). Queen Wilhelmina had already bestowed the predicate “Royal” upon the airline on 12 September 1919, before KLM was officially established. It was truly extraordinary that the predicate was bestowed before the company was established. In principle, such honours are only bestowed on companies that have existed for more than 100 years, and even then the company must meet a wide array of exacting requirements.
The predicate is bestowed for a period of no more than 25 years, after which the company must apply for reaffirmation of its right to bear the predicate “Royal”. The predicate is only extended after thorough investigation and careful consideration by the Mayor of Amstelveen, the Queen’s Commissioner for North Holland, and the Queen’s Cabinet.

“Royal” and the swan
KLM’s royal status found expression in various ways, including its renowned advertising campaign featuring swans. The swan is commonly associated with positive values such as national pride, reliability, quality, strength, style and royalty. And the KLM swan is topical once more thanks to last night’s presentation of the Gouden Loeki award for advertising. In 1995, KLM was the first winner of this award, for its “Swan” commercial. KLM congratulates Telfort, winner of the Gouden Loeki 2012, on this auspicious accolade.