Celebrating 20 years of KLM at SkyTeam
KLM and SkyTeam have been growing together since 2004.
Proudly celebrating two decades of KLM in SkyTeam
September marks another important milestone in the history of SkyTeam as we proudly celebrate 20 years of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in the alliance.
KLM was formed in October 1919 – just 16 years after the Wright brothers successfully flew their revolutionary aircraft – making it one of the world’s first commercial airline companies.
The national flag carrier for The Netherlands operated its inaugural flight in May 1920, marking the start of scheduled service between London and Amsterdam.
Since then, KLM has not stopped taking to the skies, making it the oldest continually operating airline in the world – and one that has for more than 100 years been innovating and adapting to an ever-changing environment.
KLM officially joined SkyTeam on September 1, 2004.
SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux said: “It is an honor to have had the world’s oldest continuously operating airline as an important part of our family for 20 years.
“KLM’s global reputation and achievements through their industry-leading service and products, digital innovation and sustainability efforts has made a huge contribution to SkyTeam’s success and benefitted both our travelers and indeed all our member airlines.”
As SkyTeam’s largest transfer hub, KLM’s Amsterdam Schiphol hub is an important part of the SkyTeam network. In 2023, more than 1.2m passengers transferred between KLM and our online members at AMS.
Every day, KLM leaders and subject matter experts make a meaningful contribution to SkyTeam’s governance and project Advisory and Working Groups.
Since becoming part of the SkyTeam family, KLM has represented a significant part of the SkyTeam leadership, with former KLM CEO Leo van Wijk the first Chairman of the Alliance Governing Board. Michael Wisbrun, formerly an Executive Vice President with KLM and the Air France KLM Group, was SkyTeam Managing Director from 2011 to 2015 and then the Chair of our Alliance Governing Board till 2019.
Patrick added: “Congratulations to KLM and to all at SkyTeam who have contributed to their successful contribution.
“For the last 20 years KLM and SkyTeam have grown together and we greatly value KLM’s participation as we jointly look forward to the 25th anniversary of SkyTeam in June 2025.”
