KLM ends DDA DC3 support

[cathay belgium]

Hi,

KLM ended the support of the DDA, the Dutch Dakota Association....after 33 years !
They have two DC3's for roundflights within Netherlands and Europe.
As KLM also requested their hangar back, winter maintenance will be delayed and the flying year 2016 will start later for their one airworthy DC3 Prinses Amalia !
The second DC3 Doornroosje is sitting idle with a broken engine, funds dried up to keep this one in the air...
DDA is also searching for a new hangar and financial support...
Now their are based in Schiphol AMS, a move to RTM or LEY is possible...

My guess is as you like to fly a DC3 in europe, don't hesistate !

Without KLM support I guess it will be way too expensive to keep this birds in the air... or in Holland !

CXB

Note : Classic Wings in Teuge Airport are also restoring oneto airworthy state !

[Inquirer]

Any reason given for this?
Is it a cost saving measure, or are there other disagreements at the basis of this?

[cathay belgium]

Hi,

Pure cost saving,as their are in very need to reduce their costs....
They also requested their hangar back for their own use of B737 maintenance ...
( guess whispered by the French as the Dutch have a known love for their flying heitage ... , my guess.... )

CXB

[airtrainer]

reducing the costs, the true disease of this century

[flightlover]

reducing the costs, the true disease of this century

But very understandable in a time where pax are looking for the cheapest ticket available. Europeans are killing their own jobs (and ultimately lifestyle) by looking for bargain luxuries.

[sean1982]

Flying is not a luxury (anymore)
Flying a 70 year old aircraft in a scenic flight over the netherlands IS a luxury and should be equally priced.

[flightlover]

Flying is not a luxury (anymore)
Flying a 70 year old aircraft in a scenic flight over the netherlands IS a luxury and should be equally priced.

It's not because most people take one or more flights a year to go on a vacation that it ain't a luxury no more. A luxury is something that is not necessary to survive but helps to make life enjoyable. Going on a holiday by plane, car or train is a pure luxury.
Not seeing that is the reason why more and more people are becoming poor, even when they earn a decent living.

Wanting ever more for less is the reason why factories are relocating to low wage/tax countries. This brakes down the own working middle class. There will be some more jobs in transport but in net the working class will shrink. And in the end even transport is being relocated to low wage/tax countries.

The only solutions to stop that circle are:
- to impose import taxes to level the playing field
- equal taxes worldwide
Two things we are not going to see in the short to medium term. And if we do, it will most likely be on the downhill side of our living standards.

But this brings me a bit too far off topic I guess...

[cathay belgium]

Hi,

Flying a scenic flight high or low price, luxury or not is not the question...
Having a flying heritage it is... is this luxury ?
Are musea, subsidised cultural events... opera,ballet.... luxury... ? Same thing...

Can agree with flightlover...

CXB

[cathay belgium]

Hi,

More news about DDA.
They sold one of their DC3 to keep the financial balance positive !
PH-DDZ , in old Martinair livery, has been sold... no news about the new owner...
So only one dakota left... the PH-PBA Prinses Amalia.
Quite reasonable as the sold dakota wasn't able to fly anymore as they missed one engine to fly it again.
Hope we see it soon flying again as someone with money probably has bought it.
It don't belong in a museum .... yet

CXB

[Passenger]

DDA isn't happy with the way that the end of the sponsoring by KLM has been reported by some press agencies. "We are very thankfull toward KLM for their 33 years of support", DDA says:

"...In diverse media zijn berichten gepubliceerd over de beëindiging van de sponsoring door KLM aan DDA Classic Airlines. Er wordt, zonder bronvermelding, gesuggereerd dat DDA Classic Airlines ‘verbijsterd’ is en dat het KLM ontbreekt aan historisch besef. Het Bestuur van DDA Classic Airlines neemt nadrukkelijk afstand van deze uitspraken. Zij is de KLM juist dankbaar voor de steun die KLM gedurende 33 jaar in financiële en facilitaire zin heeft geboden. DDA is op zoek naar nieuwe sponsors en ook naar nieuwe behuizing voor na 1 juli 2016. Wij streven ernaar het vliegend erfgoed en met name onze Koninklijke DC-3 'Prinses Amalia’ te behouden voor het Nederlandse publiek...."

DDA is looking for a new sponsor and a new storage building as from 01st July 2016.

https://www.dutchdakota.nl/nl/home/nieu ... ponsoring/

[Passenger]

Unfortunately, the Dutch Dakota Association now ends flights with DC-3 PH-PBA “Princess Amalia” after 2024. The board of DDA explains:

* The lease of the hangar at Schiphol Airport where the PH-PBA is for storage and maintenance has been terminated. There is no affordable hangar space available at Schiphol Airport.
* Schiphol is expected to reduce the number of airport slots. DDA falls under this regime and will undoubtedly have to surrender frequencies. This means that operations are in jeopardy.
* The European Commission has banned the use of AvGas, the fuel on which the Dakota flies, by 2025.
* Alternatives are being experimented with, but it is not yet known how the Dakota’s engines respond to them. Costly modification is not ruled out.
* Several airports are closing access for the Dakota due to noise and environmental restrictions. That means DDA will be limited in its earning power with all the implications for operations.
* Costs for landings and handling especially at Schiphol are rising disproportionately. To keep sightseeing flights accessible to a wide audience, DDA has a conservative pricing policy.
* With cost increases passed on, demand will drop significantly. Consequently, a balanced operation for 2025 cannot be put together.
* As the average age of our volunteers increases, the organization becomes vulnerable.
* Replacing the expertise present with rejuvenation has been only very partially successful to date.
* It should be noted with great emphasis that flight safety is not and will not be an issue.

Suggestions are being made to bring the operation back to Lelystad Airport. This alternative has been investigated and like Schiphol Airport, there is no affordable hangar capacity at Lelystad Airport.

Once back at Lelystad Airport, we lose an important part of our organization. Most volunteers live around Schiphol and prefer not to drive back and forth.

https://dutchdakota.nl/en/nieuws/geen-d ... n-in-2025/

[cathay belgium]

Hi,

And...all last flights are... sold out....

DC3 flights only in Sweden or Finland or USA now I guess...

Will take a last one this sunday MST-AMS...

CXB