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Albert Plesman
Photo: Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons16

Albert Plesman

Dutch aviation pioneer (1889–1953)

Albert Plesman (7 September 1889 – 31 December 1953) was a Dutch pioneer in aviation and the first administrator and later director of the KLM, the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Albert Plesman (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Sep 7, 1889, died Dec 31, 1953.1

About

Until his death, he was its CEO for over 35 years and was also on the board of the Dutch airline, which was to become one of the most important airlines in the world under his leadership.

He was born as the son of an egg trader from The Hague. In 1915 he joined the mobilized Dutch airforce as an officer, at the time still called the "militaire luchtvaartafdeling" (military aviation department), in Soesterberg. After World War I, in which the Netherlands remained neutral, he started the organization of ELTA, the "Eerste Luchtverkeer Tentoonstelling Amsterdam" (First Aviation Exhibition Amsterdam), held from 1 August until 14 September 1919. For that occasion enormous halls (hangars) were built. Right after the exhibition, these were used by Anthony Fokker, for his new company, Nederlandse Vliegtuigenfabriek (Dutch Aircraft Factory), subsequently the Fokker airplane factory.

All these activities led to the establishment of Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), of which Plesman became director and made a flourishing company. After World War II, Plesman was appointed president-director of KLM. After recovering from the war, KLM became a renowned airline company under his leadership. On 25 February 1946, KLM had the first airline flights from continental Europe to the USA. For his efforts, he received in 1947 an honorary doctorate of the Technical University of Delft. Plesman pleaded in vain for a displacement of Schiphol Airport to a location near Burgerveen. The father of KLM died in The Hague on December 31, 1953, at age 64.

From Wikipedia’s article on Albert Plesman, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Career

Occupation: entrepreneur, aircraft pilot.7

Albert Plesman, together with Anthony Fokker, brought into existence two great aviation companies in Europe: KLM and Fokker. Europe realized greater connections with North America through Plesman's influence, pioneering the first commercial transatlantic services. Cargo, mail, and passenger services were greatly a result of Plesman's work within KLM.

KLM's first revenue flight operated from London's Croydon Airport to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. KLM leased their first aircraft, but quickly utilized Fokker. These Fokker aircraft were a product of Anthony Fokker and Albert Plesman's leadership. Their operation of aircraft production followed by the commercial use of those aircraft allowed for a huge growth in travel for Europe internally, to North America, and to the Southeast Asian Dutch colonies. Albert Plesman later established, in 1921, the largest aircraft maintenance and overhaul plant in the world. This plant was located onsite at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, where KLM concentrated most of their operations. Plesman laid ground for the new KLM headquarters in The Hague during 1939. Plesman advertised progressive business principles for KLM - "a commitment to generating customer preference by offering a high-quality product at a reasonable price; strengthening market presence; and achieving internationally competitive costs coupled with a sound financial basis." KLM then transitioned from the wooden Fokker airplanes to metal aircraft manufactured in the United States, per Plesman's discretion.

In the latter part of 1939, Albert Plesman was forced to suspend all of KLM's operations with the advent of the Second World War. His aircraft were withheld, and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was reserved exclusively for military use. He resumed operations in 1946. When KLM was revived, he became president of the company and conducted the integration of Douglas aircraft. He also allowed for greater nationalization of the airline and oversaw the Dutch government's purchase of shares in KLM.

He published a small book, Plan for international cooperation, possibly in 1950.

Albert Plesman died on December 31, 1953. He left the company in the hands of Fons Aler. The airline continued to grow despite economic difficulties in the late 1950s due to the Dutch government's growing ownership of the company.

From Wikipedia’s article on Albert Plesman (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornSep 7, 1889, The Hague8
  • DiedDec 31, 1953, The Hague9
  • CitizenshipKingdom of the Netherlands10

Awards

  • 1959Edward Warner Award11 13
  • Date not recordedCommander of the Order of Orange-Nassau11 12
  • Date not recordedKnight of the Order of Orange-Nassau11 12
  • Date not recordedKnight of the Order of the Dannebrog11
  • Date not recordedKnight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion11 12
  • Date not recordedOfficer of the Order of Orange-Nassau11 12

Sources

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