As one of its celebration series events worldwide in October, KLM celebrated the 100th anniversary with Blue Running Campaign with more than 1000 participants at Shanghai Century Park this weekend and a magnificent celebration event held at Shanghai Peace hotel at night. Pieter Elbers, President and CEO of KLM, Miriam Kartman, Executive Vice President of KLM Inflight Services, Antoine Pussiau, Senior Vice President Asia Pacific of Air France-KLM, Toon Balm, General Manager of Air France-KLM Greater China and other senior executives attended this event to celebrate the legendary moment with honourable guests.

On 7th October this year, KLM turned 100 years old. KLM is the world's oldest airline to still operate under its original name. In 1919, the young aviation pioneer Albert Plesman founded the aviation of tomorrow. As the first chief executive of KLM he had a dream: "the ocean of the air unites all people", a network that connects all people. His vision for the future and determination have made dreams into reality. By establishing and expanding it's network, KLM connects the world, right from Amsterdam, with more than 160 destinations today.

Ever since KLM inaugurated its direct flight to Beijing in 1996 and to Shanghai in 1999, China has become one of the most important markets for KLM. It is Air France KLM's the 2nd International Market, and the 1st in Asia. At present, KLM operates weekly 39 flights to 7 destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Taipei, according to 2019 winter schedule. It also adopted the latest aircraft B787-9 to 5 cities in the mainland of China. In order to meet the unique consumption trends of Chinese customers, KLM has taken every means to optimize its social strategy offering customized products and services for Chinese passengers, which make the company remain at the forefront of digitalization, and a pioneer in aviation industry.

"KLM is turning 100 years old, which is a great milestone to celebrate. The overall goal of the anniversary celebrations is to thank, touch the hearts and involve people, to take the momentum to look into the future of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with confidence on China market, which is always one of KLM's most important markets in the world, and Chinese customers are always at the heart of KLM. In the future, we will continue to stay close to our Chinese customers and upgrade our services, to bring them the most advanced aircraft, products, and tailor-made services, and ensure they have a best-in-class flying experience with KLM." said Toon Balm, General Manager, Air France KLM Greater China.

At the celebration event, Pieter Elbers, President and CEO, KLM commented "In the past century, the world has changed drastically, and change will remain a constant factor. We have turned one hundred years old by seizing opportunities, taking up challenges, connecting with partners, and embracing new technologies. Not only is KLM an integral part of Dutch society but also it symbolizes the pioneering and enterprising spirit. By cherishing our customers, embracing innovation and taking the lead in sustainability, we have created a beloved brand and a beautiful KLM family, which are the keystones for KLM to succeed and survive in the challenging era."

KLM launched its "Fly Responsibly" initiative this June, thereby committing itself to creating a more sustainable future for air transport. "Fly Responsibly" incorporates all of KLM's existing and future efforts to improve the sustainability of its activities, but true progress can only be made if the entire sector cooperates. One of KLM's most important sustainability strategy within its operation is the reduction of its environmental footprint. KLM aims to have reduced its CO2 emissions by more than 10% by 2030, compared to 2018. This is a 50% reduction of CO2 per passenger kilometre compared to 2005. KLM has also set itself the ambition to achieve a CO2-neutral ground operation and to cut waste by 50% (compared to 2011).

With "Fly Responsibly", KLM therefore invites consumers to compensate for their share of CO2 emissions from their flight. Companies are invited to compensate for business travel by way of the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme. One very recent example of KLM's efforts to Fly Responsibly was announced recently: from 29 March 2020, KLM will replace one of its daily flights between Amsterdam and Brussels with seat capacity aboard the high-speed Thalys train.

In the coming century, KLM also wants to set the standard for the aviation of tomorrow. KLM is fit, healthy and ready for the next one hundred years: connected to the world, with attention to the surroundings.

Contributed by KLM