KLM bids fond farewell to Fokker 70

This weekend KLM Royal Dutch Airline celebrated the departure of the Fokker 70 in style, marking the end of a 97-year partnership between KLM and Fokker. The phase-out of the Fokker 70 at KLM Cityhopper rings down the curtain on an unique and remarkable era in Dutch aviation history.

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Symbolic final flight

The last six commercial flights operated by KLM’s Fokker 70s departed on Saturday. The very last flight took off from London. This was no coincidence. KLM deployed its first two Fokker II aircraft on 30 September 1920. These were KLM’s first passenger planes. Their first destination was London. And so the final flight from London completed a full circle, landing at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 20.30, featuring the special farewell livery: a classic portrait of Anthony Fokker. The flight got a warm welcome at Schiphol, which included a shower of affection from the fire brigade and a victory lap around the platform. KLM Cityhopper staff gathered at a festive event that same evening, organised to thank them for their dedication, professionalism and achievements.

Superb Farewell Fokker book

The Fokker 70 is a striking and unique aircraft, with its characteristic wing profile and typical T-shaped tail. They aircraft will continue to operate elsewhere, because KLM has sold its last Fokkers to airlines in Asia, Africa and South America. Moreover, fans of the Fokker 70 will take delight in the special Farewell Fokker 70 book “Dutch at Heart”. This beautifully illustrated book is available as a limited edition via www.fokker-70.nl.

Fokker monument unveiled

On the morning of Sunday, 29 October, a special KLM-Fokker monument was unveiled at Schiphol-Oost. In the presence of guests and journalists, the monument was unveiled by KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers, former KLM Cityhopper Director Boet Kreiken and Fokker Vice President Frans van der Pol.

“Today marks the end of an era. After 97 years, the partnership between KLM and Fokker is coming to an end. We have pioneered together and written history in international aviation. With the unveiling of the KLM-Fokker monument, we honour everyone who contributed to this partnership. KLM Cityhopper will fly into the future with a fleet consisting entirely of Embraer E-175+ and E-190 aircraft, offering seats to more passengers, as well as greater comfort, higher speeds and improved economy. " - KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers

The plaque on the monument reads: “This monument was erected in honour of all the hard-working employees of KLM, Fokker and KLM Cityhopper, who worked with these superb Dutch aircraft from 1920 to 2017, flying them across the globe and making aviation history.”

Fleet renewal

Following the phase-out of the Fokker 50, Fokker 100 and now Fokker 70, a new generation of aircraft are operating in KLM service. In 2008, KLM Cityhopper began replacing its Fokker fleet with modern E-Jets – the Embraer E-190 and Embraer E-175+. These new aircraft allow further expansion of our existing network, increase flight frequency (more than 106,000 flights a year) and reduce costs substantially. With this far-reaching modernisation of its fleet, KLM Cityhopper contributes to more efficient and sustainable operations, with improved service standards and greater comfort for passengers.