KLM Newsroom

KLM Successfully Operates Ten Test Flights

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0200

KLM previously operated a test flight in Dutch airspace on Saturday evening, 17 April. The results of subsequent technical inspections revealed that the flight had encountered no problems whatsoever. Based on this information, the Dutch air transport authorities IVW, granted permission to operate further test flights on Sunday.

The first flight set off to Düsseldorf, Germany, at around 06.30 hrs on Sunday morning. The aircraft had no passengers on board, but was staffed by a 20-strong crew. The crew on board flew seven stranded aircraft from Düsseldorf to Schiphol during the course of the morning and early afternoon.

KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman stressed that these were test flights. This does not imply that regular air traffic can be resumed. This decision rests with the Dutch authorities IVW, in consultation with the European authorities.

KLM hopes to receive permission to resume part of its operations as soon as possible, so that passengers can be brought to their destination.

KLM Operates Ten Test Flights

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0200

The first flight departed from Düsseldorf, Germany, at around 06.30 hrs on Sunday morning. The aircraft had no passengers on board, but was staffed by a 20-strong crew.

The crew on board will fly the seven aircraft stranded in Düsseldorf back to Schiphol one by one. These flights will be operated during the course of Sunday.

“These are test flights,” stressed KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman. “This does not mean that normal air traffic has been resumed. This matter will be decided on by the Dutch air transport authorities IVW, in consultation with the European authorities.”

If all of the flights are operated without a hitch, KLM hopes to receive permission to resume part of its operations as quickly as possible to bring passengers to their destination. KLM will join hands with Lufthansa, which operated 10 test flights in Germany yesterday.

KLM expects to issue further updates later today.

Passengers are advised not to travel to Schiphol, but to closely monitor airline websites for the latest information about their flight.

KLM test flight passes off without problem

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0200

The aircraft was transferred to a hangar on landing where it underwent a thorough inspection. The results have been reported to the Transport and Water Management Inspectorate. The Inspectorate will take the decision on whether flight operations are possible.

KLM President & CEO, Peter Hartman, said: "At first glance there is no reason to suspect that anything is amiss. We observed no irregularities either during the flight or during the initial inspection on the ground. If the results of the technical inspection confirm this impression, we are ready to start by returning seven of our aircraft to Amsterdam from Düsseldorf. We hope to receive permission as soon as possible after that to start up our operation and to transport our passengers to their destinations." KLM Executive Vice-President Operations, Ype de Haan, was also on board the flight with Peter Hartman as an observer.

The aircraft flew to 41,000 feet (altitude of approximately 13 kilometres), which is the maximum altitude for this type of aircraft. KLM expects to receive the final results of the technical inspection tomorrow morning.

Passengers are advised not to travel to Schiphol, but to check their airline's website for the latest flight information.