Transavia Celebrates 60 Years by Honoring Founder with Retro A321neo
Transavia, the low-cost airline, recently honored its founder John Block by naming one of its new Airbus A321neos with a distinctive retro livery. This ceremony was part of the airline’s 60th anniversary events, which commenced on October 21, 2025, at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
The anniversary celebration featured notable figures such as Ben Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM Group, and Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM, as well as Wouter van Wersch, Executive Vice President International at Airbus.
A highlight of the day was the christening of the retro-themed Airbus A321neo, which will forever carry the name ‘John Block’. The founder established the airline in 1965, and his influence is still felt today.
“Celebrating 60 years of Transavia is really about the people – our colleagues, partners, and the millions of passengers we’ve connected,” said Marcel de Nooijer, CEO of Transavia. “John Block was pivotal to this journey. His entrepreneurial spirit made flying accessible to many. Naming our retro Airbus after him is both a tribute to our past and a step towards the future, emphasizing our commitment to affordability, reliability, and sustainability.”
Earlier in the day, a panel discussion took place focusing on the future of Dutch aviation, featuring COO Marloes van Laake from Transavia along with potential Members of Parliament from various parties.
John Block, as co-founder and the first CEO of Transavia Holland, was instrumental in the airline’s success, fostering a customer-centric and entrepreneurial ethos that has inspired numerous aviation professionals over the years.
“The best way to commemorate our anniversary is to invest in the future, just as John Block would have wanted – with ambition and a keen focus on our customers,” de Nooijer added.
The celebratory Airbus A321-252NX, registered as PH-YHD, began its service in July 2025. As noted on Flight Radar 24, this aircraft was scheduled to operate flights to Kalamata International Airport (KLX) on October 22, 2025, but took a break to participate in the anniversary celebrations.
What do you think about Transavia’s homage to its founder?
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