KLM Fokker 70 retirement

[Archer]

Yesterday KLM operated the final scheduled services with their Fokker 70s. The final four examples were parked at the East side of the airport this morning and departed their birthplace and homebase for the last time. A formation flypast was planned but the plans fell through due to ATC issues. Because of this only the appropriately liveried PH-KZU performed a flypast, with the PH-KZB, PH-KZL and PH-KZS (last one to take off as well as the last one built) heading straight out for the North Sea. They're off to Norwich where they will be reconfigured for new owners.









A Fokker 70 fin has been mounted on a pedestal right next to the old control tower and will serve as a memorial to a relationship between operator and constructor that spanned 97 years.

[Swanoir]

That's really sad. As I've posted previously, through my dad I have a real affection for Fokker (mostly F27 and F28), but to acknowledge that this is the end of the line as a working commercial aircraft is really touching. I assume though, that Fokker types will live on in less affluent countries...
It's fitting that they're off to Norwich, where I first sat in the cockpit of Air Anglia F28 PH-MOL. Full circle (for me anyway!).

[Archer]

It is certainly not the end of the Fokkers in commercial aviation, there are quite a few F50s, F60s, F70s and F100s still flying all around the world. You may know these sites already but the Fokker Fleetlist here is updated regularly: http://airnieuws.nl/fokkernieuws/FOKKER ... tlist.html
There is also a comprehensive Fokker site here: http://www.fokker-aircraft.info/ but the menu bar doesn't seem to work on my browser so I cannot get to the other pages. If you Google 'Fokker Aircraft page' you'll find some link to their Fokker 100 and Fokker 70 pages though.

Small correction to my previous post: the PH-KZU is the newest one from these four, not the PH-KZS.

[FlyTexas]

Definitely the end of an era for KLM. I always liked the looks of the Fokker 70.

Brian

[TobyV]

Fokker 70 is a type I never flew on. Shame I missed this. Coincidentally, your neighbours in Belgium were operating their last ever Avro RJ100 flight the same day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dxX45ppR0Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCuOCc6siNY

[Archer]

I saw that yesterday, an interesting coincidence and another type that will be missed. I think that CityJet will most likely continue to fly RJs though and they are regular visitors in this part of Europe.

A year and a half ago a certain orange operator decided to cancel my return flight from Luton to Amsterdam with just a few hours to go on a Sunday afternoon. I managed to book a ticket on CityJet, returned my hire car at Luton and then rushed to London City on the train, tube and DLR. The CityJet flight ended up being delayed but I was still very happy to see that RJ standing there!

[TobyV]

Orange operator.... cancelled... Luton. All I needed to know. I am currently on a boycott or "voting with my wallet" let's say due to sustained abysmal service. Actually sent them my first ever complaint to an airline in 200 flights and after 6 weeks got an automated-looking "we're sorry you didn't enjoy your flight, we hope to see you again soon email".

[TobyV]

...and coming back on topic, just found this (public - no account or login should be requried) video from KLM:

https://www.facebook.com/KLM/videos/10155124545020773/

Interesting to see the Captain is British, I wonder if he joined via Air UK?

[Motormouse]

Hi Toby, a lot of the F70 fleet were operated by KLM UK crew. KLM UK being the name adopted for former Air UK.

Ttfn

Pete

[Archer]

That's a great video! Thanks for posting that.

As for the orange bunch, I had to visit Cranfield regularly over the past three years and they do offer many options between AMS and LTN, so I was kind of stuck with them....