Albert Plesman

Albert Plesman was born into a modest Protestant family. His father sold eggs, but young Albert dreamed of the skies. That dream would take him to the heart of Dutch aviation history.

In 1918, the Royal Dutch Aviation Association formed a committee to promote aviation. Plesman presented his bold plan for a national air exhibition. With support from General C.J. Snijders, the idea was approved. In 1919, the First Air Traffic Exhibition in Amsterdam (ELTA) welcomed over 800,000 visitors. This overwhelming success led to the founding of KLM on October 7, 1919. Plesman, one of its eight founders, became its director and driving force.

World War II brought hardship. Plesman sought refuge in Twente and even attempted peace talks between Germany and Britain in 1940. Meanwhile, Schiphol was bombed and eventually destroyed during the harsh winter of 1944-1945.

Yet Plesman pressed on. On September 27, 1945, KLM resumed service to Batavia using a Douglas Skymaster. Two weeks later, regular flights resumed. In 1946, the first scheduled transatlantic service to New York launched, marking a milestone in aviation. KLM adopted the name Royal Dutch Airlines to reflect its global ambitions.