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Air France-KLM reports its “challenging” first quarter results

Air France-KLM reports its first quarter 2019 results:

FIRST QUARTER 2019

  • ๏‚ท ย Passenger growth +3% and load factor -0.3 point.
  • ๏‚ท ย Unit revenue down -1.9% due to Easter shift and substantial industry capacity growth in the

    winter.

  • ๏‚ท ย Unit costs decrease by -0.4% at constant currency and fuel.
  • ๏‚ท ย Operating result at -303 million euros, with unit cost improvement more than offset by unit

    revenue, fuel bill and currency headwinds.

  • ๏‚ท ย Further reduction in Group net debt, down 403 million euros to 5.8 billion euros and Net

    debt/EBITDA ratio at 1.4x stable compared to 31 December 2018.

    OUTLOOK 2019

  • ๏‚ท ย Long Haul industry capacity to / from Europe for the summer 2019 is projected to grow at a slower pace compared to last year, particularly to Middle East, North America and Asia.
  • ๏‚ท ย Based on current data for Passenger network:
    • ๏ƒผ ย Long-haul forward booking load factors from May to September are on average ahead

      compared to last year.

    • ๏ƒผ ย Network passenger unit revenues at constant currency expected to slightly improve

      compared to last year for the second quarter 2019, with positive long haul unit revenues

      largely offset by negative point-to-point unit revenues.

  • ๏‚ท ย Full year guidance confirmed:
    • ๏ƒผ ย Unit cost (CASK) reduction between -1% and 0% at constant currency and fuel price,
    • ๏ƒผ ย Net debt/EBITDA ratio below 1.5x.

      Benjamin Smith, Air France-KLM Group CEO said: โ€œAs anticipated, the first quarter has been challenging for the European airline industry including the Air France-KLM Group, as substantial industry capacity growth in the off-peak business period led to unit revenue pressure. In this context, the Group achieved further improvement in unit cost while reaping the benefits of its efforts to strengthen its positioning, as evidenced by the first signs of progress in operational performance at Air France, notablyin term of โ€œNet Promoter Scoreโ€ and punctuality. These elements, together with a more benign industry supply outlook for the summer, lead us to expect improving trends in the rest of the year and to confirm our full-year guidance. We aim to have a capital market day planned in November 2019 to further outline the Group strategic directions.โ€

First quarter 2019 combined Passenger and Cargo revenues increased by 1.0% at constant currency to 5.2 billion euros, for a capacity growth of 2.3%. The operating result amounted to -279 million euros, a 146 million euros decrease at constant currency compared to last year, mostly due to unit revenue pressure and fuel bill increase as anticipated.

First quarter 2019 capacity increased by 2.3%, mainly driven by the South American, North Atlantic and Asian networks with respective growth of 9.8%, 5.3% and 1.8%.

The passenger network experienced a supply โ€“ demand imbalance putting pressure on unit revenues. Revenue management anticipated to price competitive trends in the market and managed to contain impact on unit revenues to -1.6% at constant currency compared to last year.

  • ๏‚ท ย The North America network experienced competitive pricing sensitivity and posted a 2.5% unit revenue decrease, but after a strong unit revenue performance in the previous year (+4.9%).
  • ๏‚ท ย The 9.8% additional capacity on South America was driven by growth on the Andean routes and the opening of the Fortaleza service in April 2018. Ongoing pressure persists due to economic difficulties in Argentina and the international demand recovery of the Brazilian market progressing slower than anticipated.
  • ๏‚ท ย The Asian networkโ€™s solid performance trend continues, with first quarter unit revenue up 1.7%, driven in particular by the Japanese network.
  • ๏‚ท ย Caribbean & Indian Ocean network posted a strong result with unit revenues of +4.3%, driven by strong leisure demand.
  • ๏‚ท ย Africa & Middle East network was relatively stable compared to last year.
  • ๏‚ท ย The medium-haul network saw a unit revenue decrease of 2.4%, due to substantial intra-

    European industry capacity growth.

A slowdown of volumes in the first quarter is visible in the whole air freight market, due to economic slowdown, political uncertainties and trade disputes. This has put pressure on freight rates, resulting in a unit revenue development of -4.0% at constant currency. Several network rationalization measures have been implemented during the quarter to counterbalance the negative trend. A slight capacity increase has been offset by this unit revenue decrease, resulting in a decline of revenues by 1.3% at constant currency.

Transavia: Strong capacity growth, but unit revenue decline primarily explained by Easter shift

First quarter 2019 saw the launch of several new routes and a strong capacity growth of 11.4%. Unit revenues decreased by 3.5% compared to last year, primarily explained by Easter shift and an increase of stage length of the route network. The unit cost improved with -0.8% and -1.7% at constant fuel and currency.

The first quarter 2019 operating result stood at -71 million euros, 13 million euros lower compared to last year.

In the first quarter 2019, the Air France-KLM Group posted an operating result of -303 million euros, down 185 million euros compared to last year, which was impacted by the Air France strike for -75 million euros.

The unit revenue at constant currency of -2.2% compared to last year had a negative impact of 115 million euros on the operating result.
The fuel bill including hedging amounted to 1,201 million euros for first quarter 2019, up 140 million euros, of which 44 million euros is explained by an increase in the fuel price and a volume effect of 34 million euros for the capacity increase compared to last year. The result of the fuel hedges has been a gain of 35 million euros.

Currencies had a positive 65 million euro impact on revenues and a negative 108 million euro effect on costs including currency hedging. The net impact of currencies thus amounted to a negative 43 million euros for first quarter 2019.

Unit costs in line with full year guidance

On a constant currency and fuel price basis, unit costs were down -0.4% in the first quarter 2019, driven in particular by the decrease in customer compensations compared to first quarter 2018 that was marked by the strikes in Air France
However this was partly offset by KLM unit cost which were impacted by a 1.3% lower than planned capacity due to weather and technical reasons.

* Sum of โ€˜Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assetsโ€™ and โ€˜Proceeds on disposal of property, plant andequipment and intangible assetsโ€™ as presented in the consolidated cash flow statement.
** The โ€œAdjusted operating free cashโ€ is operating free cash flow with deduction of the repayment of lease debt.

Adjusted operating free cash flow positive

The Group generated positive adjusted operating free cash flow of 241 million euros, an increase of 99 million euros compared to last year, mainly explained by a lower capex in the first quarter 2019 due to a year-over-year shift in investment timing pattern.

Leverage stable

Outlook

The global context remains uncertain given the current geopolitical environment and fuel price trends.For the full year 2019, the Air France-KLM Group plans to selectively grow capacity for the Passenger network by 2% to 3% compared to 2018. Transavia will continue to grow at a sustained pace of 9% to 11%.

Long Haul industry capacity to / from Europe for the summer 2019 is projected to grow at a slower pace compared to last year, particularly to Middle East, North America and Asia.
Based on the current data for the Passenger network:

  • ๏ƒผ ย Long-haul forward booking load factors from May to September are on average ahead compared to last year.
  • ๏ƒผ ย Network passenger unit revenues at constant currency expected to slightly improve compared to last year for the second quarter 2019, with positive long haul unit revenues largely offset by negative point-to-point unit revenues.

    Full year guidance confirmed:

  • ๏ƒผ ย The Group will pursue initiatives to reduce unit costs1, with a targeted reduction for 2019 of

    between -1% to 0% at constant currency and fuel price.

  • ๏ƒผ ย The 2019 fuel bill is expected to increase by 650 million euros compared to 2018 to 5.6 billion

    euros2, based on the forward curve of 26 April 2019.

  • ๏ƒผ ย The Groupโ€™s capital expenditures are planned at the level of 3.2 billion euros for the year 2019

    and the Group is targeting a Net debt/EBITDA ratio below 1.5x. *****

     

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air Mauritius suspend their joint venture operations

KLM has issued this statement:

KLM and Air Mauritius will suspend their joint venture operations between Mauritius and Amsterdam at the start of the 2019 IATA Winter season effective from October 27, 2019.

The current joint operations on the 2 weekly Air Mauritiusโ€™ operated flights will continue throughout IATA Summer 2019 season ending on October 26, 2019. Passengersย holding tickets beyond this date will be either rebooked to other flights or are eligible for a refund.

The long established joint venture between Air France and Air Mauritius will not be affected by the suspension of the Amsterdam – Mauritius route, thus providing guests the option to travel via Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to Mauritius where both carriers will continue their operations with up to twice daily flights between Paris and Mauritius.

KLM adds Guanacaste-Liberia to its network as a new destination in Costa Rica

KLM's 4th new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

KLM is expanding its network with the opening of Guanacaste-Liberia (LIR) in Costa Rica. As per the start of the winter 2019 schedule, this region on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica will be served four times per week with a direct KLM flight from Amsterdam. On the southbound sector, this flight will make an intermediate landing in San Josรฉ (Costa Rica), a destination that is currently already served by KLM in its winter schedule.

KLM will commence service on October 29, 2019 on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Amsterdam-Schiphol, San Josรฉ and Guanacaste-Liberia. The flights will be operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with 30 seats in World Business Class, 45 seats in Economy Comfort and 219 seats in Economy Class.

  • KL0717/KL0719 departs Amsterdam-Schiphol at 11:35, and arrives in San Josรฉ (Costa Rica) at 17:15 Local time. From there, the flight departs at 19:15 towards Guanacaste Liberia, to arrive at 20:10.
  • After a short 65 minute stop on ground, the flight continues under the same flight number directly to Amsterdam-Schiphol, with a departure out of Guanacaste Liberia at 21:15 Local time; to arrive at Amsterdam-Schiphol at 13:20 Local time the following day.

It is possible to arrive in San Josรฉ, and depart from Liberia on the same ticket, making it an ideal combination for all travelers that want to discover the beautiful nature and pura vida of Costa Rica. Likewise, passengers originating in Costa Rica can start and end their journey in either San Josรฉ or Guanacaste Liberia in both directions on the same ticket.

Map: Google Maps.

About Guanacaste

Guanacaste is a region in the northwest of Costa Rica, bordering the Pacific Ocean and lies at approximately 150 miles from the capital San Josรฉ. The region is known for its beautiful coastline, with quiet inlets, pristine beaches and small islands that dot the coastline. The climate in Guanacaste is unique in Costa Rica, since the region receives little to no rain from November to April; which makes it a popular holiday destination. Also in terms of nature the region has a lot to offer, jungles around the volcanos in the interior form a green backdrop for hikers and flora and fauna enthusiasts alike. The capital of Guanacaste is Liberia, with 60.000 inhabitant. The modern international airport of Guanacaste Liberia is situated less than 15 miles from the nearest beach.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by KLM): KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner PH-BHE (msn 38765) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 932107.

KLM aircraft slide show:

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KLM introduces wireless entertainment on its Boeing 747-400s

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-406 PH-BFW (msn 30454) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 946148.

KLM has made this announcement:

As of April 1, 2019, passengers flying on KLM Royal Dutch Airlinesโ€™ Boeing 747-400s can stream a selection of inflight entertainment offerings directly to their own mobile devices.

KLMโ€™s wireless entertainment system offers passengers a choice of more than two hundred films and TV series. Using a server on the aircraft, passengers can stream content to their laptops, smartphones, or tablets free of charge. KLMโ€™s partner AirFi is providing the accessible, innovative system.

KLM plans to replace its Boeing 747-400s with more efficient and economical twin-engine aircraft over the years to come. Despite the change, KLM will continue to invest in an improved entertainment experience for its passengers. This extra entertainment platform, alongside the current built-in system, is just one such example.

The new system is only available on KLMโ€™s Boeing 747-400s. On the other long-haul flights, KLM is investing in Wi-Fi which will provide its own content streaming.

Top Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-406 PH-BFW (msn 30454) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 946148.

KLM aircraft slide show:

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Delta and its partners add more international routes from Boston

Delta Air Lines made this announcement:

Delta Air Lines and its partners will offer up to 149 daily departures to more than 50
destinations from Boston-Logan in 2019, an increase of nearly 30 daily departures compared to
2018.โ€‹
  • โ€‹Delta and partners KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air bringing more flying to/from Boston
  • New routes include Amsterdam, London-Heathrow, Lisbon, Edinburgh and Seoul

The last 24 hours have brought two new international flights to Boston Logan International Airport, thanks to Delta joint venture partners KLM and Virgin Atlantic โ€” setting the stage for an exciting year of growth and expansion for Delta in the Northeast.โ€‹

KLM โ€“ Amsterdam

On March 31, KLM began flying between Boston and Amsterdam, adding to the two daily flights to Amsterdam already operated at Logan Airport by Delta. KLM CEO Pieter Elbers joined officials from Massport, Delta leaders, customers and employees at the airport in a ribbon-cutting ceremony ahead of the outbound flight across the Atlantic.

Virgin Atlantic โ€“ London-Heathrow

And on April 1, Virgin Atlantic launched its daytime service from Boston to London-Heathrow โ€“ a morning departure that will better enable in-flight workday productivity for London-bound business travelers. Virgin and Delta together now offer three daily flights to Heathrow Airport from Boston.

Delta โ€“ Lisbon and Edinburgh

Later this spring, Delta will begin its own seasonal Boston service to Lisbon and Edinburgh, rounding out a full slate of new international destinations now directly accessible to Boston customers. Through this and an extended summer season to Dublin, by May Delta and its partners will offer the most international seats from Boston with flights to up to 19 international destinations โ€” more than ever before.

Korean Air โ€“ Seoul-Incheon

A third partner, Korean Air, will start new serโ€‹vice in Boston on April 12, when it begins nonstop flights to Seoul, one of the first additions to that joint venture’s transpacific network since Delta and Korean Air launched their partnership last May.

“We’ve been eyeing Boston for a long time and it makes sense, with our Delta joint venture, to start service there now,” said Korean Air’s Vice President of Marketing John Jackson. “Delta is growing fast in Boston and adding an Asia flight will help them solidify their position as Boston’s #1 global airline.”

This new Boston flying comes as Delta continues to reinforce its position as the city’s leading carrier and deepen its investment at Logan Airport and in the greater Boston community. Overall, the airline and its partners will offer up to 149 daily departures to more than 50 destinations from Logan in 2019, an increase of nearly 30 daily departures compared to 2018.

Delta has doubled domestic daily departures out of Boston since 2013 and this year will serve four additional domestic destinations โ€” Cleveland, Chicago, Washington-Reagan, and Newark-Liberty โ€” while also adding more frequencies in another seven key domestic markets. Overall, the airline and its partners will offer up to 149 daily departures to more than 50 destinations from Logan in 2019, an increase of nearly 30 daily departures compared to 2018.

In addition to Delta’s network growth, the airline is also investing in Boston in other ways. With Massport’s partnership, Delta plans to assume operations at all gates at Logan’s Terminal A by the third quarter of 2019, growing its airport footprint by five gates. Delta also plans by 2020 the expansion of one of its Delta Sky Clubs, including new showers, expanded seating and a reimagined food and beverage area.โ€‹

Photo: Delta.

KLM issued this statement:

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines yesterday began operating flights to the city of Boston (BOS) in the United States. KLM will operate three flights weekly between Amsterdam and this new destination on the Northeast coast of the United States. Flights will be operated by a recently refurbished Airbus A330-300, offering capacity for 292 passengers.

The new KLM service to Boston comes in addition to the two daily flights between Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Boston operated by Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLMโ€™s joint-venture partner on transatlantic routes.

KLM flights from Boston will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The Airbus A330-300 flights will have 30 seats in World Business Class, 40 seats in Economy Comfort Class and 222 seats in Economy Class. From July 1, 2019, a fourth weekly flight will be operated on Mondays. The departure and arrival times are as follows:

  • KL0617 departs from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport at 5:00 p.m. CET, arriving in Boston at 6:30 p.m. local time.
  • KL0618 departs from Boston at 10:00 p.m. local time, arriving at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport the following day at 10:35 a.m. CET.

Netherlands marks 100 years of aviation

KLM has posted this salute to aviation the Netherlands:

Aviation pioneers KLM, GKN Fokker and the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) on March 14 jointly marked their centenary at the EYE Film Museum in Amsterdam.

At this location, precisely 100 years ago, the First Aviation Exhibition Amsterdam (ELTA) was held. At todayโ€™s event, speakers looked back on 100 years of Dutch aviation and forward to a sustainable future.

King Willem Alexander was on hand to mint a special commemorative coin, and Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen of Infrastructure and Water Management was presented with a special series of aviation postage stamps.ย There was also a flypast of modern and vintage aircrafts over the waters of the IJ, behind Amsterdam Central Station.

At the event, speakers commemorated the contribution these Dutch pioneers had made to international civil aviation and discussed the challenges facing airlines in the Netherlands, which are committed to operating in a smart, sustainable and economically viable manner. The King also met with students participating in a special challenge for the centenary year. The students presented their innovative ideas for a number of sustainability issues.

Economicย impulse for theย Netherlands

Overย the past 100 years, the Dutch aviation industry has served as an ambassador and figurehead for the Netherlands in the global community. To this day, our industry continues to give a positive impulse to the economy of the Netherlands. The Dutch pioneering spirit has ensured that many hundreds of millions of people worldwide have been brought together, thanks to the efforts of our founding fathers. As Albert Plesman so aptly put it: โ€œThe ocean of the air connects us all.โ€

 

Impulseย forย sustainability

Atย the gathering, presentationsย were giveย on the development of international civil aviation and the challenges the Dutch aviation industry faces to keep flying in a smart, sustainable and economically viable manner. Major efforts are required to achieve this, both in the short and long term, which will see the sector pursuing innovations in technology, infrastructureย andย airspaceย utilisation.

Virgin Atlantic, Air France and KLM launch codeshare partnership

Virgin Atlantic, Air France and KLM have announced their first codeshare agreement โ€“ creating new transatlantic travel options to and from North America, and providing more opportunities to earn frequent flyer miles.

The partnership makes it easier for customers to build their ideal trip across the Atlantic by combining flights operated by Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Delta. Customers booking on a codeshare benefit from seamless connections, and a single booking reference. Customers travelling on codeshare flights will also be able to earn miles, and redeem them via their own airline loyalty scheme.

Virgin Atlantic brings the UKโ€™s Regions closer to North America

Virgin Atlantic customers can now book a wide range of additional flights at virginatlantic.com โ€“ opening up 58 new routes from 18 UK airports across the Atlantic with Air France and KLM.ย  Examples of new route options from the UK include Edinburgh โ€“ Toronto via Amsterdam, and London Heathrow – Chicago via Paris

Air France and KLM increase flight options across the Atlantic

Air France and KLM customers can now access 24 new routes to North America on flights operated by Virgin Atlantic and Delta departing the UK including connections via London Heathrow or Manchester.ย  Customers can benefit from additional frequencies to destinations such as Miami from Amsterdam via London Heathrow alongside increased options to fly between Paris and New York-JFK via Manchester.

More options to fly Delta

Delta is building on its successful partnerships with Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, giving customers from these airlines more opportunity to fly on Deltaโ€™s transatlantic services. ย  Virgin customers travelling between the United Kingdom and the US now have the choice to connect onto all of Deltaโ€™s flights over Amsterdam and Paris. Meanwhile Air France and KLM customers have additional options to fly either nonstop or via the UK on all Delta services to the US.

Virgin Atlantic, Delta and Air Franceโ€“KLM are set to form an expanded joint venture later in 2019. Subject to final clearance from regulators, the airlines will be founding members of a $13bn transatlantic partnership for customers between the UK, Europe and North America, offering over 300 daily transatlantic flights, 108 non-stop routes, and over 340 destinations.

1.ย The combined codeshare network serves 18 airports in the U.K. including: Aberdeen, Belfast, Belfast City, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Inverness, Leeds-Bradford, London-City, London-Gatwick, London-Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich.

2.ย  Virgin Atlantic codeshare on Air France operated Flights:

3.Virgin Atlantic codeshare on KLM operated Flights:

4.Virgin Atlantic codeshare on Delta operated Flights from CDG and AMS:

5. Air France and KLM codeshare on Virgin operated Flights:

6.ย Expanded Air France and KLM codeshare on Delta operated Flights from the UK:

 

KLM connects people through live hologram bar

KLM has made this announcement:

What if travellers waiting to board a plane could exchange tips face-to-face with others heading in the opposite direction? KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has built a bar where these travellers can meet to exchange local tips. Today, KLM is launching its โ€œTake-Off Tipsโ€™โ€™ campaign in theย US, UK, Brazil, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

Bringing people together

Using a live connection, customers could chat with a hologram of their counterparts, looking each other straight in the eye. There is no better way to get the best local travel tips. But even more interesting, there is no better way to share real cultural insights. With the help of the Take-Off Tips bar, customers can talk to each other at airports in Amsterdam, Oslo, and Rio de Janeiro โ€“ strangers who would otherwise never have met.

Live hologram and video

The hologram bar connected people in real time by projecting them into the airport on the other side of the world. To reach a wider audience with KLMโ€™s Take-Off Tips bar, we filmed the conversations of travellers heading in opposite directions and created a short film of the warmest moments. We have now shared this film online.

 

For ninety-nine years, KLM has been a pioneer in the airline industry and is the oldest airline operating under its original name. This year KLM will celebrate its one hundredth anniversary. KLM aims to be the most customer-centric, innovative, and efficient airline in Europe, offering reliable service and top-quality products. In 2017, we carried a record 32.7 million passengers, offering our passengers direct flights to 165 destinations with a modern fleet of more than 160 aircraft. We employ a workforce of more than 32,000 people worldwide.

KLM signs codeshare agreement with Atlantic Airways

Atlantic Airways-Faroe Islands Airbus A319-112 OY-RCI (msn 3905) LHR (Wingnut). Image: 945292.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and flag carrier of the Faroe Islands, Atlantic Airways, announced that they have signed a codeshare agreement. This will expand the global route offering for both companies.

 

The airlines now offer jointly operated flights to its base on the Faroe Islands. Thanks to the new agreement, KLM and Atlantic Airways customers will have access to more destinations starting ย January 24, 2019.

KLM will add a KL code to Atlantic Airways flights. This will allow passengers from around the world to change flights in Copenhagen, Billund, Bergen, and Edinburgh and continue their journey on the same ticket and a one-stop check-in to and from the Faroe Islands.

Starting January 24, 2019 the cooperation will cover:

Vรกgar โ€“ Copenhagen (CPH)

Vรกgar โ€“ Bergen (BGO)

Vรกgar โ€“ Billund (BLL)

Vรกgar โ€“ Edinburgh (EDI)

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline):ย Atlantic Airways-Faroe Islands Airbus A319-112 OY-RCI (msn 3905) LHR (Wingnut). Image: 945292.

Atlantic Airways aircraft slide show:

Atlantic Airways Route Map:

KLM is the safest and most punctual airline in 2018

KLM has made this announcement:

In 2018, KLM once again achieve high ratings for safety and punctuality, two key assets for any airline.

Flight Stats, an aviation data information company, rated KLM as runner-up behind Qatar Airways in terms of punctuality in 2018, which means KLM is Europeโ€™s most punctual airline.

Every year, Flight Stats compares international airlines on the basis of punctuality, flight schedules and flying times.

AirlineRatings.com, which annually researches the safety of airlines, awarded KLM its maximum score on seven criteria, including adherence to international certification requirements and internal safety protocols.

This means KLM ranks among the safest airlines in the world.

โ€œThis is a superb acknowledgment for all our efforts in the area of safety and punctuality. We will maintain this momentum going into 2019, to keep giving our customers a safe and pleasant travel experience.”
Pieter Elbers – KLM President & CEO