Below I'd like to introduce you to my favorite airline:
I've been a big fan of Air Holland since I was a very young kid. We often
flew with the airline in our summer holidays and I've always liked the planes,
livery and the fact that they're just a small company with just 7 planes
(summer season 1999).
Air Holland's history
In which a small company can be very big: it's history. Air Holland has quite
an interesting history. New planes, prices for best charter airline
and other succesful times, but unfortunately there are two sad moments also.
In fact, for 2 times it was unsure whether Air Holland was able to continue
their business (mainly charter flights in Europe).
Air Holland Regional N.V. started in 1985 when John Block wanted to start
another airline. He helped to set up 2 other succesful airlines in the
Netherlands: Transavia Airlines and Martinair Holland. Two Boeing 727 aircraft
were leased and registrated as PH-AHA and PH-AHB. Air Holland was quite
succesful, partially because there was a big need from travel organisations
for a 4th, indipendant charter airline. Both Martinair (40%) and Transavia
(80%) belong to Holland's national carrier KLM.
In 1987, operations went better and better and there was a need for new,
modern and bigger airplane. Four new aircraft were ordered from Boeing, all
of the type B757-200. A quite modern airplane, especially in those days.
First of them were delivered in 1987, last ones in 1988. The old Boeing's
727 were given back to the lease company and Air Holland had a fleet of 4
Boeing 757-200's: PH-AHE, PH-AHF, PH-AHI, PH-AHK.
In 1990, Air Holland decided to co-operate with Air Aruba. In the meantime,
2 extra Boeing 757's were bought (PH-AHL and PH-AHN). In an exchange program
with Air Aruba, they decided to give 3 B757's to Air Aruba and get get 2
B767-200's back. John Block was one of the first persons who noticed the
upcoming interest for far holidays to areas like the Caribbean. Unfornutaly,
he was a bit too early. The interest was there (look at Martinair's business
these days) but it was all in upcoming stage.
The early 90's was a bad time for airlines. Gulf-war, oil crises and lack of passengers caused many airlines to close their doors. Pan American is one of the most famous examples. Air Holland got in big financial problems in 1991. After weeks of discussions and talks with potential investors, a few parties decided to continue Air Holland in a smaller format. Biggest sharing-holders were Sudtours (a famous travel organization), the management of Center Parcs and family F. Flipse. Air Holland was saved. New name: Air Holland Charter B.V.
In the first year, they flew just with one of the old aircraft, the PH-AHE (757), followed soon by the PH-AHI. They decided it was a good idea to introduce a new type of airplane in the Air Holland fleet. In 1994, the PH-OZA was leased and serviced as the first Boeing 737-300 in the fleet. This plane was followed in 1995 by the PH-OZB which had flown in Switzerland previously. In 1996, a 3rd Boeing 757 was found in Monarch's G-MONC. This plane was leased for a period of 3 years and registrated as PH-AHO. End of 1997 a whole new plane entered the fleet. It concerned another Boeing 737-300, registration PH-OZC.
Things were going better and better. The percentage Air Holland had in the Dutch charter business (traditionally leaded by Transavia) was about to raise above 25%. In spring 1997, a new 757 was added. Actually, it was a known plane for the company since it was one of the 4 old 757's Air Holland started with in end 80's. It was -again- registrated as PH-AHK. Last change in the fleet was when the lease contract with Monarch for the PH-AHO was about to end. They had to give this plane back to Monarch in early 1999 and found a replacement in an ex-Britannia 757. It's flying as the PH-AHP. Air Holland was flying with a fleet of 7 planes in 1998 and 1999.
The end of the season in 1999 was approaching and Air Holland was searching for a stronger partner to continue their business. A big problem for them is, and has always been, to keep their fleet flying in less busy months for charter airlines (the winter). The Schreiner Aviation Group was a good candidate as they wanted to continue Air Holland in it's original form. Unfortunately, the contract was cancelled shortly before final agreement. Too expensive lease contracts for the 7 airplanes was the most imortant reason.
This was getting too much for the airline, since it was already getting in financial trouble. The fleet was being grounded at homebase Amsterdam/Schiphol. Weeks and weeks there wasn't much news about Air Holland. Most flights were taken over by Transavia and Martinair now. A 2nd time there was a candidate for Air Holland, and for the 2nd time the contract was cancelled very shortly before agreement. Two days before Christmas '99, good news reached the rest of the world: Air Holland was taken over by LLP1 leasing. This seemed to be a new group of investors. New name is officialy Air Holland 3 Leasing B.V. and the plan was to start flying again on half January 2000, most likely with their old PH-OZA.
After some months of silence, it turned out that main investor of LLP1 leasing,
the Dutch hotel and restaurant company Van der Valk, could not reach an agreement
with the company. So until this moment of writing (early April 2000), nothing
is known about the future of Air Holland yet. Let's all hope for the best!
Air Holland's PH-AHE rolling out after landing runway 19R at homebase
Schiphol Airport
The Fleet:
Data from summer 1999
Boeing 757-200:
Registration Unofficial name of the aircraft Special remarks
PH-AHE Echo
In service since 1988, new
PH-AHI India
In service since 1988, new
PH-AHK Kilo
Previously operated by America West
PH-AHP Pappa
Previously operated by Britannia
Boeing 737-300:
Registration Unofficial name of the aircraft Special remarks
PH-OZA (Zulu) Alfa
First 737 ever
in Air Holland-fleet
PH-OZB (Zulu) Bravo
Special livery: black
nose and dark grey belly
PH-OZC (Zulu) Charlie
Only new B737 of the fleet, new
in 1997