Starting today the tail of a KLM Cityhopper Fokker 70 (PH-KZU) will bear the face of aircraft manufacturer Anthony Fokker. KLC unveiled the special farewell livery as the official launch of the Fokker 70’s phase-out. The special aircraft will fly during the coming months, making its last flight on 28 October.

The farewell livery is a symbol of thanks to everyone involved in the Fokker’s operation and to all who made a contribution to this bit of Dutch heritage. With the help of this livery, KLM Cityhopper is celebrating the 97-year partnership between KLM and Fokker: KLM is a staunch Dutch company and aviation pioneer, and Fokker is the Dutch manufacturer of the aircraft with which KLM made its first flights. The livery was applied in Hangar 73 at Schiphol-Oost, where the Fokker company used to deliver its aircraft to a variety of airlines.

Right now, there are nine Fokker 70s still in KLM Cityhopper’s fleet. When the Fokker 70 is phased out, the last aircraft of Dutch origin will disappear from Dutch soil. It will bring a special period in aviation history to an end.

KLM Cityhopper announced its fleets renewal programme in 2008. In recent years, the Fokker 50 and 100 have been phased out and replaced by Embraer 175s and 190s. By acquiring this new aircraft type, KLM and KLM Cityhopper can once again contribute to more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly operations. Quality and comfort for passengers are extremely important in that process.

KLM Cityhopper is Europe’s largest regional carrier. Each year, it carries out more than 105,000 flights from Amsterdam Schiphol to sixty-seven European destinations. No later than 2018, KLM Cityhopper’s entire fleet will consist of thirty Embraer 190 and seventeen Embraer 175 aircraft. This will give KLM the single-largest Embraer fleet in Europe.