In an era of rapid technological change, fierce competition, and global disruptions, few airlines can boast over a century of uninterrupted service and still count themselves among the industry’s power players.
But KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name, continues to soar. According to Express.co.uk, KLM still has the same name it had when it was first founded in 1919. Founded on October 7, 1919 by eight investors, it became the Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij voor Nederland en Koloniën (Royal Dutch Airlines for the Netherlands and Colonies). The company’s first flight took place on May 17, 1920, linking London and Amsterdam.
Four years later, KLM completed an intercontinental test flight from Amsterdam to Batavia, now Jakarta, proving that Europe and Asia could be connected by air. In that same year, it also flew a stud bull to France, which meant the start of specialised animal air transport services.
In 1946, it also was the first of all European airlines to begin a scheduled service to New York, from mainland Europe. Before the Second World War, KLM launched the world’s longest scheduled air service, connecting Amsterdam and Batavia. Today, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flies across the world including to major cities in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Headquartered in Amstelveen, the oldest airline ever now flies to about 164 different destinations across the globe and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, carrying more than 35 million passengers that year – the biggest number it had ever recorded. Air France and KLM merged officially in 2004, forming the Air France-KLM group, with both airlines retaining their brands, names and key hubs at Charles de Gaulle Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol. Air France and KLM reportedly carry more than 77 million passengers every year flying to about 318 different places. The Dutch carrier reported that it welcomed over 33 million passengers on board its flights in 2024 and will be offering 4% more capacity for this summer 2025.
