Transavia celebrates 60 years: a tribute to pioneer John Block
On Tuesday, 21 October Transavia marked its 60th anniversary with a special event in Hangar 2 at Schiphol-Oost. The day was dedicated to the both the past and future – from pioneering achievements then to innovation today. The highlight? The christening of our retro Airbus!
The celebration began with the sounding of the stock market gong at Euronext Amsterdam by CFO Pieter Wensveen and the Transavia 60 years project team – an age-old tradition that officially marked this milestone.
Later in the day, COO Marloes van Laake held a panel discussion with MPs Peter de Groot (VVD), Chantal van den Berg (CDA) and Tjerk Zeitsen (BBB) to discuss how flying in and for the Netherlands can remain affordable and accessible – staying true to Transavia’s founding mission.
Retro Airbus as a symbol of past and future
The highlight was the christening of the Airbus A321neo in retro livery. CEO Marcel de Nooijer and outgoing minister Robert Tieman unveiled its name: John Block – a tribute to the pioneer who made flying possible for everyone in 1965.
CEO Marcel de Nooijer said: ‘Sixty years of Transavia is mainly a story of people: colleagues, partners and millions of passengers whom we have connected with each other. John Block was there at the beginning of that story. With his entrepreneurial spirit and courage, he made flying accessible to a wide audience. We are proud of our heritage and look ahead with the same energy: affordable, reliable and with a focus on sustainability.’
Video: watch the unveiling
here.
Investing in the future
Transavia continues to invest in innovation with the same pioneering spirit with which it started out. The transition to a modern Airbus fleet, along with digital innovations, enhances the experience for both customers and colleagues. Together with our partners, we are building accessible, reliable and future-proof aviation – celebrating 60 years of achievement and carrying the same ambition into the future.
The day was made possible in part by main sponsors Airbus and the Moroccan Tourist Office.