KLM is the oldest! and
Hi All!
It will be certainly interesting to see if AF and KL will make joint orders for aircraft, why not tip the balance of scales of economy in their direction. My guess would be that they both will retain a mixed fleet. Because KLM is not totally a Boeing loyalist. Think of the Airbus 310’s they used until just a decade ago and the Airbus 330-200 order to replace 767/MD-11. A mixed fleet of different aircraft types means spreading of risk of low occupancy of aircraft. They would be able to react better to market circumstances on the medium and shortterm (even if it would mean offer only 8-9 seats less on a certain roundtrip)
KLM is getting rid of it’s 737-300’s and -400’s in a slow pace. Think of the exchange with Boeing in April 2004 >>> 2 737-300’s for a -900! So maybe in the future KLM would fly more Airbusses? Also the future of the Fokker 70’s is not certain, they are evaluating alternatives. So also in the regional market they could move to the Embrear 135/145 (that make out the most of Regional’s aircraft) Let’s see!
By the way, KLM still ís world’s oldest airline operating under the same name!
According to the Compendium of International Civil Aviation.
Quote: Year 1919
“KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded in The Hague on 7 October by Dr. Albert Plesman, and is generally recognized as the world’s oldest airline still operating under the same name. The inaugural flight took place between Amsterdam and London on 17 May 1920, carrying two passengers and 15 kg of newspapers…”
Quote: Year 1919
“AVIANCA, formerly called SCADTA, was founded in Barranquilla, Colombia, on 5 December which makes it the oldest airline company in the Americas, operating domestic and international services…”
So, KabirT, it’s only by two months but KLM is the oldest. SCADTA wás formed two years earlier. Coincidence? It didn’t live a long life.:cool:
C U next time!
Sign In
