Aviation photographer took to X (formerly Twitter) to post the image, which was taken at a distance and shows the aircraft already painted in the iconic blue livery of the Dutch airline. 

The photograph follows the release of images taken of the same aircraft (reg. PH-AXA) inside the Airbus facility, which showed the KLM emblem on the tail. These images were also shared on social media. 

The upcoming delivery of the aircraft has generated much expectation within the industry and among aviation enthusiasts since it will be the first time that KLM has operated an Airbus narrowbody aircraft in its more than 100-year history. 

The Air France-KLM Group placed an order for 100 A320 family aircraft (plus 60 options) in December 2021, which will be assigned to KLM as well as the Dutch and French branches of Transavia, the group精东影业 low-cost carrier. 

The A321neo will progressively replace the Boeing 737NG aircraft that have been the mainstay of KLM精东影业 narrowbody fleet.  

The first aircraft from the A320neo-family mega-order was delivered to Transavia France in January 2024. 

In Air France-KLM’s 20 anniversary year the company felt it was a good time to 鈥渜uantify and analyze the socio-economic benefits generated by its activity in France and the Netherlands鈥� through an impact study.  

Carried out by Professor Herbert Cast茅ran from the Institut Mines T茅l茅com Business School, the study covers Air France-KLM’s three core businesses: passenger transport, cargo, and aircraft maintenance. 

According to the study, Air France-KLM generates 1.9% of French Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 2.3% of Dutch GDP, generating 鈧�70 billion ($75B) per year for the two economies combined.听聽

20 years ago, the Group was founded. To our 76,000 employees around the world, happy anniversary !
Here精东影业 to two decades of joint work to be at the forefront of a more responsible European aviation, uniting people for the world of tomorrow.

— Air France-KLM Group (@AirFranceKLM)

And in addition, Air France-KLM supports an estimated 552,570 jobs in France and 267,996 jobs in the Netherlands either directly or indirectly. 

The study summarizes that for every euro invested, Air France-KLM generates 鈧�3.6 ($3.8) in the French economy, and 鈧�3.4 ($3.6) in the Dutch economy. 

Expanding on job creation, the study highlights that each direct job created by Air France-KLM generates 11 additional jobs in France and 9.2 additional jobs in the Netherlands. 

Interestingly the study also found that Air France-KLM’s activity benefits every single French region, without exception. 

From buying over 2.4 million bottles of wine in 2023 from the Bourgogne-Franche-Comt茅 and Grand Est region to placing an order for more than 230 aircraft from Airbus, Air France-KLM is a super-wealth creator.听聽

Air France unveils new interiors for Embraer 190 fleet operated by HOP!聽聽

• Airlines

byLuke Peters

2024-05-28

The incident unfolded on May 29, 2024, during the afternoon with KLM passengers onboard the flight witnessing the fatality.

Some details regarding whether the deceased was male or female have yet to be confirmed and although presumed to be an airport worker this is still unknown for certain.

Authorities are also working to establish if the was an accident or a potential act of suicide.

An employee at the airport told Dutch newspaper that the KLM Embraer E190 was being pushed back at the time and preparing to depart.

The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee confirmed that it is investigating the incident and that all passengers and crew disembarked the aircraft following the incident.

A tragic incident occurred today at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport where an individual was fatally injured after being ingested into the jet engine of a KLM Cityhopper Embraer aircraft.

— A Fly Guy's Crew Lounge (@AFlyGuyTravels)

In a statement KLM said: 鈥淎 fatal incident took place at Schiphol today during which a person ended up in a running aircraft engine. Sadly, this person has died. The flight concerned was KL1341 bound for Billund. We are currently taking care of the passengers and employees who witnessed the incident at Schiphol.鈥�

The aircraft, registered PH-EZL, is part of KLM Cityhopper fleet, which operates on regional routes for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol said that its 鈥渢houghts go out to the relatives鈥� of the deceased.

Malaysia Airlines releases exclusive photos of first Airbus A330neo in Toulouse

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-05-29

The updated uniform follows a successful trial held over the last year where staff responded positively to the change during feedback.  

KLM confirmed that from May 6, 2024, staff will be allowed to 鈥渨ear sneakers under their uniform鈥� to help promote comfort during work and support well-being.听聽

Pilots and cabin crew members will be able to choose between sporting their own sneakers (which must meet certain requirements) or purchasing the specially developed KLM sneaker designed by Filling Pieces.听

To Allow Tennis Shoes With Uniform

Starting May 6, KLM is allowing its staff to wear sneakers with their uniforms for the first time in the airline's 104-year history. This change is meant to offer more comfort during work hours and boost employee well-being.

— A Fly Guy's Crew Lounge (@AFlyGuyTravels)

鈥淚n the past year, I have been able to test sneakers as a sustainable part of my uniform. After years of the classic look of pumps, I now wear sneakers with great pleasure! They give me a good start towards a good flight,鈥� Willeke van den Boomgaard, Senior Purser at KLM, said. 

No doubt once KLM passengers see the stylish footwear for themselves during flights, they will be keen to get their own feet on a pair.  

鈥淏y allowing sneakers, KLM is responding to the demand for more comfortable work shoes. Some colleagues who wear pumps would like an alternative. Wearing sneakers under a uniform is becoming more common among airlines and is in line with current times,鈥� a spokesperson for the airline said.听

Lufthansa Group makes $785M Q1 loss but outlook remains positive for summer 2024聽

• Airlines
• Aviation Economics & Finance

byLuke Peters

2024-05-01

Details of the incident were released in a report by the (TSB) on April 10, 2024, as viewed by aviation website .听听听

According to the report, the incident happened shortly before 21:10 local time on March 22, 2024, when the KLM 787-10 was accelerating down the runway at over 200km/h (110kt).听

The KLM aircraft registered (registered PH-BKC) had been cleared for takeoff on runway 6L after the LOT 787-9 (registered SP-LSB) had landed on the same runway and was at taxiway C5 to exit.  

As the KLM jet proceeded down the runway, it became clear to air traffic control (ATC) that, instead of exiting the runway at taxiway C5, the LOT flight crew had continued further down to taxiway C7. 

With the LOT aircraft still on the runway, the KLM crew were alerted by ATC. The crew then reduced the aircraft精东影业 speed and eventually taxied off the runway.  

According to the TSB精东影业 report, the two passenger planes came within 5,400ft (1,646m) of each other.听聽

Close calls and near misses

The news of this incident comes at a time when a string of aviation near misses and close calls are being reported across the world. Many blame a lack of air traffic controllers for the problem, particularly in the United States (US).  

On November 9, 2023, a US subcommittee met to hear evidence from aviation experts about the spike in aircraft close calls at US airports in the preceding year.    

The Senate committee was told that a shortage of air traffic controllers (ATCs) has led to a number of issues that have affected aviation safety.   

鈥淲e have cited staffing shortages, which lead to scheduling issues, fatigue, lack of or deficient supervisory oversight, distraction, ineffective scanning and the need for value-added training,鈥� Sen. Cantwell, Chair of the Commerce Committee, said.   

Ural Airlines admits no plans to return stranded Airbus A320 back to service

• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-04-11

The district court of Amsterdam ruled in favor of environmental organization 鈥淔ossielvrij鈥� (which means 鈥淔ossil Free鈥� in Dutch), which accused the Dutch flag carrier of misleading advertising. 

According to the court, the airline made a number of vague and unsubstantiated claims that minimized the environmental impact of flying in its 鈥淔ly Responsibly鈥� ad campaign. 

However, the ruling neither forces KLM to retract information (the advertising campaigns in question are no longer active) nor has it imposed a penalty on the airline. Instead, the court warned the airline to be more accurate and transparent in future communication regarding environmental issues. 

Following the court精东影业 decision, KLM publicly acknowledged the ruling in a statement on its website, stating that its 鈥渃ommunication about sustainability must be honest and transparent鈥�. The carrier also said it was 鈥減leased鈥� the court had ruled that it could 鈥渃ontinue to communicate with our customers and partners about our approach to making aviation more sustainable鈥�. 

The carrier added that it was 鈥渃ontinuously learning how best to include them in this鈥�. 

“It is good that the court gives us more clarity about what is possible and how we can continue to communicate transparently and honestly about our approach and activities,鈥� the airline concluded .听

Far from being an isolated case, the recent greenwashing case is one of several legal challenges filed by environmental groups against airlines for their advertising campaigns. For example, over the course of 2023 the UK精东影业 Advertising Standards Agency banned ads by a handful of airlines, including Etihad, Air France and Lufthansa, on the grounds that they misrepresented environmental claims.听

Are sustainability claims in aviation valid? Or just ‘greenwashing’? 聽

• Sustainability

byEmilia Stankeviciute

6 minute read

Details about Air France-KLM’s financial and operating performance were published on February 29, 2024, which although positive included disappointing results in Q4 2023.  

The aviation powerhouse recorded the highest revenue in its history in 2023, amounting to 鈧�30 billion ($32 billion) up 14% compared to last year, while its operating profit rose to 鈧�1.7 billion ($1.8 billion). 

Air France-KLM also reported net income amounted to 鈧�934 million ($1 billion), up by 206 million ($223 million) since 2002.听聽

The net debt ended at 鈧�5 billion ($5.4 billion) representing an improvement of 鈧�1.3 billion (1.4 billion) compared to 2022. 

However, there were concerns over Air France-KLM’s performance in the final quarter of 2023.  

鈥淭he operating result was 鈧�190 million ($206 million) below last year standing at -鈧�56 million (-$60 million) and was impacted by the geopolitical situation in Africa and in the Middle East (鈧�65m) and an increase of the unit cost, although partly compensated by a lower jet fuel price,鈥� Air France-KLM said in its statement. 

Numbers were also down in Q4 due to 鈥渙perational disruption costs for 鈧�70 million ($75 million) and a one-time non-cash impact (IFRS2) related to the employee shareholding plan for 鈧�30m ($32 million)鈥�. 

鈥淚n 2023, we delivered on our commitment to strong operational and financial performance, while also maintaining our position as a benchmark airline Group for sustainability. Among our major achievements, we can be satisfied of our efforts to further strengthen our balance sheet and restore the Group精东影业 equity,鈥� , Group CEO, said.听聽

In more positive news for the company, Air France-KLM welcomed 22.3 million passengers in Q4 2023, which is 6.4% above the previous year. 

The group expects the capacity in Available Seat Kilometers for Air France-KLM Group, including Transavia, to increase by 5% in 2024 compared to 2023. 

鈥淟ooking ahead to 2024, a key priority will be to continue reinforcing our performance, via the continued execution of our strategy. This year will mark Air France-KLM精东影业 20th anniversary, an occasion made all the more special by the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, of which Air France is a proud official sponsor. We look forward to welcoming the world to France 鈥� athletes, delegates, supporters and more 鈥� onboard our aircraft to celebrate the world精东影业 largest event,鈥� Smith added.听

Transavia France starts new era as Airbus operator with arrival of A320neo

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-01-10

On February 13, 2024, KLM announced that the new A321neo livery will see the trademark blue and white separated with a dark line, with all three colors swooping down under the belly of the aircraft as they approach the nose.

This will leave the front of the plane painted entirely in blue, rather than blue and white.

The new livery also plays a practical role in the event of an emergency nose replacement, as a new one can be fitted without disrupting the signature blue markings.

A black outline resembling sunglasses has also been introduced around the cockpit window.

Inside the A321neo, KLM passengers will benefit from the aircraft精东影业 wider seats, larger tray tables and spacious luggage bins.

Each seat is equipped with a tablet holder and a USB port, plus multi-colored 鈥榤ood lighting鈥� that adjusts at every stage of the flight.

There will be less bumping between passengers and cabin crew members during the flight too, with wider aisles and easier-to-reach overhead bins.

The A321neo interior also comes with additional blue detailing and special lighting at the entrance to ensure a warm welcome.

鈥淭he arrival of the A321neo marks a major upgrade of our European fleet. It is 50% quieter and generates 15% fewer carbon emissions than the aircraft it is replacing, making this an important step towards cleaner, quieter and more fuel-efficient aviation,鈥� Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM, said.

KLM plans to begin operating the first aircraft of thirty new A321neos from August 2024.

Air Lease Corporation delivers first Airbus A321-200neo to Transavia

• Airlines

byClement Charpentreau

2023-12-18

According to the announcement on September 24, 2023, the strike was scheduled to take place on September 25, 2023.

鈥淜LM and [Dutch Airline Pilots Association (Vereniging Nederlandse Verkeersvliegers, VNV] reached an outline agreement on a new collective labor agreement for pilots on Sunday evening, September 24,鈥� the airline said.

As a result of the outline agreement, the strike was canceled.

However, in the next few days, KLM and VNV will 鈥渇urther develop the outline agreement and VNV will submit it to its Members’ Council鈥�. In the deal, the two sides agreed to further pay increases for pilots and if the Members鈥� Council approves the agreement, it will run retroactively from March 2, 2023, to February 28, 2025.

鈥淲e are happy that we were ultimately able to achieve this result through constructive consultation,鈥� KLM concluded its statement.

Meanwhile, the VNV said the union was pleased the airline took 鈥渢he necessary steps to create a collective labor agreement that does justice to our reasonable wishes and proposals鈥�.

The new agreement means 鈥渢hat a wage increase of 5.5% on average per year has been agreed over the two-year term commencing on September 1, 2023,鈥� the union continued, adding that pilots will receive a 2% one-off payment. The payment will 鈥渃ompensate for the late commencement date of the collective labor agreement, which has already since March 2023 had ended鈥�.

VNV also detailed that the new collective labor agreement means that pilots will now be able to plan time off more easily, with further increases in pilot productivity also providing higher revenues for KLM. The union added that the productivity growth will add 鈥渉undreds of millions of additional revenues鈥�.

鈥淥ne of the most important things was to be involved in decision-making about the possible future introduction of flying with fewer pilots in the cockpit,鈥� VNV noted. 鈥淜LM and the VNV jointly confirm that, just as now, the safety of the operation is and remains paramount in all cases.鈥�

Will commercial aircraft soon be flown by a single pilot?

• Aviation Safety
• Aviation Technology and Innovation

byRytis Beresnevicius

7 minute read

In a , KLM精东影业 CEO, Marjan Rintel, deplored this measure, which adds to other recent regulatory and taxation initiatives that have targeted the commercial aviation industry in The Netherlands. 

Earlier in 2023, for example, the Dutch government announced its plans to restrict and reduce the number of operations at Schiphol in order to mitigate the noise impact of in the surrounding areas during nighttime. 

KLM fears higher taxation will greatly affect its current business model, since, according to the airline精东影业 boss, transit passengers account for around sixty percent of its traffic. 

A report by consultancy and research firm CE Delft estimated the number of transit passengers could drop by more than third if the proposed tax, which could add around 鈧�50 per ticket, goes ahead. 

In her message, Rintel highlighted the role of KLM in ensuring the country精东影业 air connectivity and its role in the Dutch economy and expressed concern about the new taxes, including other levies that will go into effect in January 2024, placing the airline at a disadvantage in front of its competitors. She also expressed her view that the new tax, whose proceeds will allegedly be used to alleviate the energy costs of Dutch residents, will not benefit the environment. 

The measure now approved by Dutch MPs was proposed by the CDA, one of the political parties in the coalition that supported the Mark Rutte精东影业 government, which collapsed in July 2023 following disagreements between its members over migration policies. A general election is planned for November 22, 2023.