KLM 90 years of inspiration

On 7 October 2009, it has been 90 years since KLM was first founded. This makes KLM the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name.

Milestones and special occasions, did you know this?

7 October 1919
Official establishment of Royal Dutch Airlines for the Netherlands and its Colonies

17 May, 1920
First KLM flight. Pilot Jerry Shaw flies from London to Schiphol in a leased De Havilland DH-16.

8 June 1920
KLM transports animals (bees) for the first time.

1953
The KLM Works Council is established. At the time, it was quite exceptional for a company to have an internal organisation representing the interests of its employees.

11 May 1965
KLM is the first airline to make use of jet engines and metal propellers.

July 1975
In 1920, KLM employed 12 people, by 1939 the workforce had increased to 1.900, and by July 1975 there were 16.766 KLM employees.

1988
When the Dutch national football team won the European Cup, KLM for once replaced its blue with orange in honour of these national heroes.

2004
Official establishment of the AIR FRANCE KLM Group - one group, two airlines, three businesses. Air France and KLM agree to merge and aim to build Europe’s most successful airline group.

Click here to read more about KLM milestones