A neo chapter for KLM
KLM has entered a new era with the arrival of its first Airbus A321neo. Richard Schuurman investigates how it is likely to change the Dutch carrier
Airbus A321neo, PH-AXA (c/n 11895) Swallowtail was officially handed over to KLM at the Airbus facility in Hamburg
KLM/ARNOUD RAEVEN
It was all smiles when Swallowtail arrived at Amsterdam/Schiphol
DIRK GROTHE
The present and future were just a few metres apart in KLM’s Hangar 12 at Amsterdam/Schiphol on August 27. On one side, staff worked on Boeing 737-900, PH-BXO (c/n 29599), in the SkyTeam livery of metallic silver and dark blue, but the eyes of the invited guests were firmly on the new kid in town some 30m away: Airbus A321neo, PH-AXA (c/n 11895) Swallowtail.
After arriving from Hamburg and performing a tour around Schiphol to please the army of spotters, Swallowtail arrived outside the hangar and was carefully towed inside. Marjan Rintel, KLM’s CEO, flew in on the delivery flight and hailed the arrival as a milestone for KLM: “This is so important for us to comply with our cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient strategy and our sustainability ambitions.”
Wouter van Wersch, executive vice president of Airbus International since January, welcomed KLM to the Airbus narrowbody family: “Thank you all for selecting Airbus. We are proud to see the KLM colours flying on an A320 Family aircraft from today.”