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Albert Plesman (7 September 1889 – 31 December 1953) was a Dutch pioneer inaviation and the first administrator and later director of theKLM, theoldest airline in the world still operating under its original name.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 fromThe Hague. In 1915 he joined the mobilized Dutch airforce as an officer, at the time still called the"militaire luchtvaartafdeling" (military aviation department), inSoesterberg. AfterWorld 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 byAnthony Fokker, for his new company,Nederlandse Vliegtuigenfabriek (Dutch Aircraft Factory), subsequently theFokker airplane factory.
All these activities led to the establishment ofRoyal Dutch Airlines (KLM), of which Plesman became director and made a flourishing company. AfterWorld 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 theTechnical University of Delft. Plesman pleaded in vain for a displacement ofSchiphol Airport to a location nearBurgerveen. The father of KLM died in The Hague on December 31, 1953, at age 64.
Albert Plesman was born on 7 September 1889, to Johan Cornelis Plesman, an egg trader fromThe Hague and Hendrika van Wessel, one of seven children. He was raised in a Protestant household under the strict rule of his father. He was known to have episodes of obscure or sporadic behavior. These episodes led him to attending theHogere Burgerschool, a preparatory academy in The Hague. Albert realized great strengths inmathematics during his time at the school, which spawned an interest incommercial aviation.
Upon the death of his mother and his graduation from Hogere Burgerschool, Plesman enrolled in theAlkmaar Cadet School for service inRoyal Dutch East Indies Army. He then attended theRoyal Military Academy inBreda, Netherlands, where he first explored his interest in aviation through access to theGilze-Rijen airfield. Plesman then began his service as a 2nd lieutenant where his access to aviation expanded. He was exposed to a lieutenant pilot named W. C. J. Versteegh, who flew aFarman F.20. Plesman was able to explore his desire to fly through Verstegh. Plesman officially became a student cadet of flight in April 1917.
Albert Plesman met Susanna Jacoba van Eijk in early 1917, whom he later married in December of that year. They had three sons and a daughter. He was recalled as a great family man who realized the importance in family togetherness. He would regularly bring his children to important meetings and events within his company, which was a generally uncommon practice for his socioeconomic stature.[1]
Albert Plesman, together withAnthony Fokker, brought into existence two great aviation companies in Europe: KLM andFokker.[2]Europe realized greater connections with North America through Plesman's influence, pioneering the firstcommercial 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'sCroydon Airport toAmsterdam 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 theSoutheast Asian Dutch colonies. Albert Plesman later established, in 1921, the largest aircraft maintenance and overhaul plant in the world. This plant was located onsite atAmsterdam Airport Schiphol, where KLM concentrated most of their operations. Plesman laid ground for the new KLM headquarters inThe 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."[3] 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 theSecond World War. His aircraft were withheld,[clarification needed] 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 greaternationalization of the airline and oversaw the Dutch government's purchase of shares in KLM.[4]
He published a small book,Plan for international cooperation, possibly in 1950.[5]
Albert Plesman died on December 31, 1953. He left the company in the hands ofFons Aler. The airline continued to grow despite economic difficulties in the late 1950s due to the Dutch government's growing ownership of the company.[6]
Turbulent Skies is a 2020 Dutch television series comprising eight episodes depicting Plesman and Anthony Fokker's achievements.
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