Press releases

Press releases

• 1.Martinair in the media - August 20, 2010

  Following various media reports claiming that Martinair plans to stop its passenger operations, Martinair would like to inform you as follows.

  Martinair has no intention whatsoever of discontinuing its passenger flights. Martinair’s flights will continue to be operated, including those scheduled for next year. New bookings can be made as usual. Flights will continue to be operated to all of the destinations currently served by Martinair and this will remain so within the KLM Group.

  At present, a recommendation is being prepared concerning the future of Martinair’s passenger business. Several scenarios are being elaborated within this context.
  However, a decision has yet to be taken in this respect. Any subsequent steps will depend on this decision, and the implementation thereof will certainly not commence before next year.
  

• 2.Purring cats on Martinair blankets - June 17, 2010
  Martinair has replced all the blankets on board of the passenger aircraft with new dark blue fleece blankets. Around 5000 old blankets were deliverd to Dierenopvang Amsterdam animal shelter. A similar amount of blankets was delivered to Wings of Support.
  The almost 10.00 blsankets were still in mint condition but had to be replaced because of the material and design. Martinair has donated close to 5.000 freshly cleaned blankets to Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Under the watchful eye of Pedro the dog the busload of blankets were brought to the animal shelther. Pedro – however – appeared to be more interested in Martinair’s Henrike!
  Close to 500 cats at the Dierenopvangcentrum Amsterdam animal shelter will soon be curled up comfortably in their baskets on Martinair blankets.
  
• 3.Sale of extra adjacent seat - June 8, 2010
  Effective June 4, Martinair passengers are able to book an adjacent seat in economy class and comfort class on check-in. The new service enables passengers to choose for more comfort at an additional cost of €50 or $70.
  Studies show that passengers like having an extra seat for reasons of comfort and/or privacy. Passengers can, for example, use the space to get more rest or take care of a child under the age of two.
  Extra seats can be booked on check-in. Check-in for the flight in question starts four hours prior to departure. The new service is offered subject to the availability of seats on individual flights.
  
• 4.Supervisory Boards of transavia.com and Martinair in sync regarding composition - March 11, 2010

  In a spirit of cooperation between the management boards of transavia.com and Martinair Holland, shareholder KLM expressed its intention of establishing a unique Supervisory Board for both companies.

  Effective April 1, 2010, Mr. Hans Bakker (59) will be appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board for both transavia.com and Martinair.
  Mr. Bakker will succeed Mr. Jacques van Dijk as Chairman of the Supervisory Board at transavia.com and Mr. Dave del Canho as Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Martinair.
  After studying economics, Mr. Bakker accumulated a wealth of experience working in the travel industry for Holland International, as VP Marketing & Sales at Transavia Airlines CV, as member of the Management Board at TUI Group GmbH – responsible for West Europe – and as Chairman of the Management Board at TUI Nederland NV.
  Mr. Bakker is the Chairman of the Board at Amsterdam RAI BV and a member of the Martinair Supervisory Board.

  The two separate boards will consist of:
  - Mr. Dave del Canho, Deputy Chairman and member of the audit committee;
  - Mr. Pieter Elbers, Senior Vice President KLM Network & Alliances;
  - Mr. Ype de Haan, Executive Vice President KLM Operations;
  - Mr. Jeroen Visser RC, Vice President Finance KLM Cargo and member of the audit committee;
  - Mr. Cees van Woudenberg, former Managing Director of KLM.
  Martinair Holland and transavia.com will retain their respective Management Boards pursuant to their articles of association.
  

• 5.Martinair Cargo flies White Rhinos to freedom - December 21, 2009

  Schiphol Airport, December 21, 2009 – On Saturday December 19, Martinair Cargo carried out a very special transport when flying four White Rhino’s from Prague to Nairobi with a Boeing 747 BCF.

  
  A successful breeding program of the Czech Zoo Dvur Králové enables them to bring these special animals who are threatened by extinction, into the wild. After arrival in Kenya they continued their journey by truck to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where they were released in a special boma. There they will stay to get used to living in the wild.

  
  Martinair Cargo specializes in transporting extraordinary cargo. Earlier this year Martinair already flew three Black Rhinos – originally from the same Czech Zoo Dvur Králové – from Schiphol to their new home in Tanzania, Mkomazi National Park. Following this successfully executed transport, Martinair Cargo was asked for a second Rhino flight last weekend.
  The Rhinos were again escorted by the world’s most experienced Rhino vet, Pete Morkel. He has a record of accompanying more than five hundred Rhinos during transport. He was assisted by four experienced Rhino care takers. A Martinair Cargo loadmaster also accompanied this special flight to make sure the loading and off loading was done in the best possible way.
  This extraordinary transport was witnessed by many media including a BBC crew to make a documentary.
  

• 6.Martinair resumes flights to Orlando, FL - Octobre 15, 2009

  Orlando – October15th. Martinair has resumed flights to Orlando International Airport. The inaugural flight carried representatives from the travel industry and stakeholders, a special group of Red Cross families and tourists. The aircraft, Martinair flight 635 was greeted by a water salute at the airport.

  Senior Vice President Martinair Passenger Business Joris Wels: “We are excited to be back in Orlando after a year and a half absence. The interest among European travelers for the United States and Florida is high nowadays. Martinair is happy to be offering a high value product to USA residents that will allow passengers to connect to over 98 cities around the world through Amsterdam.”

  Red Cross
  To celebrate this first flight, Martinair invited 12 Red Cross families on board with a total 27 children. One or more persons in these families suffer from severe chronical illnesses which make it very difficult for them to travel. Many have never flown before.
  This is the 39th year in a row Martinair offers the Red Cross a special daytrip. A tradition that has started in 1970 by founder Martin Schröder. This is the first time to travel outside Europe and for more than one day.
  Joris Wels: “Both the Red Cross in the Netherlands and Martinair are very thankful for the warm-hearted cooperation of all parties involved to make this flight and stay a dream come true for these families!”

  Great offering for USA residents
  Martinair is the long haul leisure carrier within the KLM Group. Martinair flies direct, non-stop three times a week from Orlando to Amsterdam as well as to over 98 cities worldwide through its KLM network. Through its connection with KLM, Martinair is a part of the Flying Blue rewards program. Flying Blue members will be able to earn and redeem Award Miles with Martinair. Passengers can choose to upgrade to Comfort Class on all Martinair flights for only $89 each way. For more information or to book with Martinair, visit http://martinair.com/us_en/ or call  1-800-627-8462

  “Martinair’s return to Orlando is good news for Orlando International Airport and all of Central Florida. We are pleased that in light of the current economic climate around the world that Martinair has decided it is a sound business decision to launch its service from our area, which will benefit both of our regions,” says Jeff Fuqua, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
  

• 7.The Sky’s the Limit as Martinair Launches New Online Booking Engine on Martinair.com - July 21, 2009

  Schiphol Airport, July 21, 2009 – Martinair and iSeatz, the global provider of customized travel and entertainment solutions, today announced the launch of a new application on Martinair.com. Now, visitors to Martinair.com can easily purchase more than just airline tickets – they can easily book a complete travel experience including air, car rentals and hotel reservations.

  With iSeatz OneView the customer can easily book travel related products on the Martinair website. The enhanced website also offers travellers immediate access to iSeatz’ network of almost 200,000 leading service and product providers, including car reservations through AVIS and global hotel inventory through Booking.com.

  The new Martinair.com offers travelers a range of features and benefits:
   User-friendly interface that allows customers to easily and quickly manage all of the components of their purchase via a single, integrated transaction
   Thousands of product choices, with detailed product descriptions
   Always-on, multi-lingual customer service, provided by iSeatz’ team of dedicated team of professionals

  “Offering customers even more travel choices is fully in line with our pledge of ‘Your Choice’. In the near future Martinair will also make reservations for airport parking available with iSeatz. Reservations for diving courses, entry tickets for amusement parks etc., are all possibilities,” according to Joris Wels, Vice President Martinair Passage.

   “We look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with Martinair, and to extending even more trip options to Martinair customers in the near future,” said Kenneth Purcell, Founder and CEO, iSeatz.
  

• 8.Martinair Cargo launches new service to Chennai, India - July 3, 2009

  Schiphol Airport, July 03, 2009 – Dutch freighter specialist Martinair Cargo organizes its network in Asia Pacific to include Chennai, India. Effective July 02, Martinair operates a Boeing 747-400 ERF on routing Hong Kong – Chennai – Sharjah – Amsterdam. The new service will be performing twice-weekly on every Thursday and Saturday, leaving Amsterdam for Hong Kong via Sharjah on Wednesday and Friday.

  Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is the fourth largest city in India and the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the east coast of southern India.

  According to Senior Vice President Cargo Sales and Marketing Meta Ullings, current market trends again offer sufficient potential. By expanding capacity, Martinair Cargo hopes to satisfy multiple market demands; the growing demand for airfreight from China to India and the Middle East, increasing traffic within Asia and limited capacity from America and Europe to the Middle East.

  Martinair has appointed Pelican Air Private Limited (PAPL) as its General Cargo Sales & Services Agent for India per July 01, 2009. PAPL was established in 1981 and its core business is representation for airlines and regions. PAPL will directly report to Martinair’s Regional Office for Middle East and South Asia based in Sharjah, U.A.E.
  

• 9.Loss of Air France flight AF 447 - June 6, 2009
  Schiphol Airport, June 6, 2009 – In response to the loss of flight AF 447, Martinair would like to wish our Air France colleagues our deepest sympathy and much strength for the days ahead. Our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the passengers and crew. Martinair will support our Air France colleagues in any way we can.
  
  (For further information www.airfrance.com and http://corporate.airfrance.com)
• 10.Martinair Cargo flies Black Rhinos to freedom - May 27, 2009

  Schiphol Airport, May 27, 2009 – On Thursday, May 28, Martinair Cargo will be flying three Black Rhinos – originally from the Czech Zoo Dvur Králové – from Schiphol to their new home in Tanzania (Africa).
  
  The Black Rhinos will be leaving the Czech Zoo Dvur Králové on May 27 to be transported by truck to Schiphol. On their arrival on Thursday, May 28, the large animals will be able to rest for a few hours in one of Martinair’s hangars before taking to the skies in a Martinair Cargo Boeing 747 at 22:00 hours bound for Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. A special intermediate stopover will be made in Kilimanjaro before the flight continues to its usual destination Africa.
  
  Martinair Cargo specializes in transporting extraordinary cargo. Deborah, Jabu and Jamie are in safe hands with Martinair. The Rhinos will be escorted by the world’s most experienced Rhino vet, Pete Morkel. He has a record of accompanying more than five hundred Black Rhinos during transport. Two experienced assistants will also be going along for the ride.
  
  The entire journey will take roughly 36 hours, with 8½ hours in the air. The animals will be transported in special crates and they will not be tranquilized as this causes them too much stress. The relocation follows three years of preparation Deborah, Jabu and Jamie are East African Black Rhinos born in captivity in the Czech Zoo Dvur Králové. The Suzuki Rhino Club, an organization that focuses on preserving Black Rhinos in Tanzania, bought the three animals and donated them to the Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania. The national park currently houses nine Black Rhinos in a specially enclosed area of approximately 45 square kilometers. The animals are guarded from poachers day and night and are lovingly cared for by the British nature conservationist Tony Fitzjohn and his wife Lucy, who has worked tirelessly in recent years to protect endangered species like the Black Rhino.
  
  Visit http://www.vliegendeneushoorns.nl/ for more information, photos and videos of these beautiful creatures.

• 11.Martinair: popular destinations make comeback - May 13, 2009

  Schiphol Airport, May 13, 2009. Popular destinations from previous years – Mombasa (Kenya) and Orlando (Florida USA) – will again feature in Martinair's winter schedule for 2009/2010. Seats will be available for booking from the start of June.

  In line with its other destinations served in the Caribbean, Martinair offers holidaymakers choice and flexibility when it comes to their travel plans. Thrice weekly scheduled services will be operated to Orlando and twice weekly to Mombasa.

  The direct flights will be operated using Boeing 767 equipment, offering great timesavings without refueling or technical stopovers. The spacious aircraft will also offer great comfort for passengers, especially those traveling in Comfort Class. Passengers can count on comfort and friendly service from the Martinair crew. Martinair’s on-time performance is an added advantage. Martinair is counted among Schiphol's best performers when it comes to departure and arrival punctuality.

  Orlando: Heading off from Orlando airport, holidaymakers can gain easy access to Florida's popular attractions, including amusement parks such as the Walt Disney World Resort. Ideal for families, certainly with today's favorable exchange rate. Orlando is the perfect place to set off on a journey around Florida, offering a great alternative to Miami.

  Mombasa: With more than a year of calm having returned to Kenya, holidaymakers can again relax and enjoy the unique combination of safaris and sea-sand resorts the country has to offer visitors. Martinair also provides access to Zanzibar, the island of paradise off the coast of the mainland. The intercontinental flights to Mombasa are operated in cooperation with scheduled service carrier and KLM partner Kenya Airways.
  

• 12.KLM to become Martinair's sole shareholder - December 17, 2008

  Schiphol, December 17, 2008. Martinair has the pleasure to announce that the European Commission has approved the application submitted by KLM to become Martinair’s sole shareholder. As per December 31, 2008 Martinair will proudly be part of the KLM Group.

  This decision brings the envisaged synergies and economies of scale within reach, a necessity to be successful as an airline in the current market circumstances. KLM and Martinair can strengthen one another by benefiting from each other’s expertise and position in different markets. With her 50 years of experience in cargo and passengers services Martinair can be a good addition to the worldwide product of the KLM Group. Martinair will retain its unique Red Identity.

  Martinair and her 2000 dedicated employees are pleased with this decision after a long period of uncertainty. Martinair will continue her energetic restructuring programme.

• 13.Martinair Launches New “Your Choice” Campaign - September 25, 2008

  Schiphol, September 25, 2008. Martinair will soon launch a completely new consumer campaign under the “Your Choice” pay off. The advertising campaign kicks off on October 1 and replaces the well known and acclaimed* campaign featuring Martinair cabin attendants in 1950s attire that has been running since 2000.

  “Your Choice” is more than just a pay off. It is a profile that serves as the central theme for Martinair’s development in the consumer market.
  It reflects two central aspects. First, Martinair has in recent years developed from a charter airline to offer scheduled services to far away vacation destinations. Second, the individual needs of vacationers are more pronounced than before and they increasingly like to create their own journey. Consumers who book through a tour operator or travel agent still account for the lion’s share of Martinair’s passengers, while growth can be seen in the market segment of national and international passengers who book directly. They make their own choices.

  Consumers are generally willing to pay for extras, but only if they are given the choice to do so themselves. They don’t want what they don’t need and they certainly don’t want to be charged for what they don’t want either. Martinair offers a wide variety of choices.

  Martinair operates high flight frequencies to its destinations, providing passengers with a wide range of possible arrival and departure days. For example, a daily connection with Miami and several flights a week to Cuba and the Netherlands Antilles (daily service to Curaçao starting next winter!). Additionally, choices can be made for more legroom, entertainment and care.

  “Your Choice” will help to raise awareness for all these choices, exudes quality and can be enjoyed around the globe.

  * Gouden peperbus 2004 (as the popular favorite, chosen as the best outdoor advertising campaign in the Netherlands); Bronze Emma (for online marketing); Campaign of the Year in 2002, chosen as the best campaign in the Dutch travel industry by Dutch travel agents.

• 14.Martinair reorganizes and renews - May 15, 2008

  Schiphol, May 15, 2008. Martinair closed 2007 at a net loss of € 68.9 million. A net loss of € 7 million was achieved for 2006. Operating profit for 2007 amounted to minus € 71 million (2006: minus € 5 million). Net revenue for operations in 2007 totaled € 951 million, practically equal to that achieved in 2006.

  One-off costs associated with activities such as phasing out and renewing the cargo fleet, discontinuing European passenger flights and the associated phasing out of the Airbus 320s and voluntary resignation arrangements for more than 120 of our valued employees, coupled with a provision set aside within the scope of the ongoing airfreight investigation brought considerable pressure to bear upon the results.

  Martinair Cargo's outdated, environmentally unfriendly Boeing 747-200s were replaced completely by the modern, more efficient Boeing 747-400BCFs. This creates a solid foundation to shape Martinair Cargo's growth in the future.

  Since discontinuing European flight operations, Martinair's Passenger unit has focused on the Greater Caribbean and Canada. Connecting flights are also available to numerous destinations in the Caribbean via Miami in cooperation with American Airlines.

  The intended sale of Martinair's subsidiaries is also almost entirely complete. Following the sale of Martinair Partyservice in 2006, Marfo and Skyjob have since been taken over by new owners. Martinair reached an agreement in principle with the Colombian carrier Avianca concerning the sale of all Tampa Cargo's shares. The intention is to maintain the current strategic cooperative relationship between Martinair Cargo and Tampa Cargo, and to expand our network by including Avianca’s network.

  Studies conducted into possibly outsourcing activities previously carried out by Martinair departments are largely drawing to a close.

  A number of steps have been taken with an eye to securing Martinair's future:

  • Today, the new crew uniforms will be presented to Martinair's employees and the press
  • At the end of the year, construction will commence on Martinair's new headquarters at Schiphol-East
  • A start has been made on renewing Martinair's Boeing 767 passenger fleet. Talks are underway with Airbus, Boeing and the lease companies. Based on its rigorous fleet renewal program, Martinair will be able to include new destinations in its route network.

  Martinair's Annual Report and Financial Statements can be viewed from today.

• 15.Martinair flies five times a week to Curaçao this summer - April 15, 2008

  Schiphol Airport, April 15, 2008. On commencement of June 16, 2008 Martinair will expand its flights to Curaçao. The four planned weekly flights on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be followed by a fifth flight on Monday. Growing demand for flights between the Netherlands and Curaçao prompted Martinair to include its fifth weekly flight.

  Last week Martinair announced its winter schedule which strengthens its position in the ‘Greater Caribbean’. In wintertime daily flights will be operated to Curaçao, three days of the week in combination with Aruba. This expansion in the summer season is part of the gradual transition to the daily flights to Curaçao. 

• 16.Martinair strengthens its position in the ‘Greater Caribbean’ area - April 9, 2008

  Schiphol Airport, April 9, 2008. On commencement of the forthcoming winter season, Martinair will fly its passengers more frequently to destinations in the ‘Greater Caribbean’.
  The winter season 2008 starts on October 28 and ends on March 28, 2009.

  Daily flights will be operated to Curaçao, three days of the week in combination with Aruba. To Curaçao this means three times more flights a week than in this summer season and one time more to Aruba.

  This winter all Martinair destinations are situated in the ‘Greater Caribbean’ area. While daily flights will be operated to Miami and further to Costa Rica with American Airlines, Mexico (Cancun) and Cuba (Havana and Varadero) will be served five times a week,  the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana and Puerto Plata) three times and Surinam (Paramaribo) twice a week.

  This new winter schedule realizes our intended objectives to focus on utilizing a route network offering destinations served by frequent, nonstop flights.

• 17.Avianca buys Tampa Cargo and forms strategic alliance with Martinair - April 8, 2008

  Schiphol Airport, April 8, 2008  - Tampa Cargo, an all-cargo airline from Colombia, will be sold by it’s shareholders Martinair and private Colombian investors to Colombian carrier Avianca, one of the leading passenger airlines in Latin America.

  In Bogotá, Colombia the parties reached a principle agreement on the sale of 100% of the shares. The transaction is expected to be finalized in June 2008. 

  Furthermore Martinair, Tampa Cargo and Avianca are working on the details to reach an agreement on the formation of a long term Strategic Cargo Alliance to jointly develop the cargo business. “This new alliance opens up tremendous opportunities for Martinair and its new alliance partners by expanding our network and capacity throughout the Americas”, said Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO for Martinair.

  In this alliance the current cooperation between Martinair and Tampa Cargo with joint sales offices throughout the Americas will continue. The alliance permits the inclusion of Avianca’s belly cargo capacity on its domestic and international network. Through the alliance the 3 airlines offer one of the largest cargo networks in the Americas.

  The Parties will carefully consider the competition law aspects of the envisaged Alliance Agreement and will seek any governmental approval required from the authorities regarding competition law.

  Until all transactions are completed and approved by the relevant authorities it will be business as usual at Martinair Cargo and Tampa Cargo.

• 18.Martinair Suspends Service Between Miami and San Jose, Costa Rica - February 27, 2008

  Doral, Florida February 27, 2008 - Effective May 1, 2008 Martinair will discontinue its A320 flight operation between Miami and San Jose, Costa Rica which currently provides passengers seamless connectivity to Martinair’s intercontinental service between Amsterdam and Miami.

  For many years local U.S. and Costa Rican travelers have enjoyed experiencing European flavored service between Miami and San Jose.  Martinair’s refocus on providing non-stop, long-haul passenger service between Europe and the Americas played a major factor in this decision.  Passengers between Europe and Costa Rica can still travel on Martinair via its Miami hub in partnership with American Airlines.  All passengers currently booked beyond May 1st will be re-protected on American Airlines flights.  Details on the re-protection procedures will be forth coming next week.

  Martinair, 50 years young, provides daily non-stop service between Miami and Amsterdam with easy connecting service to the rest of Europe, the Middle-East and Asia.

• 19.Diederik Pen appointed Chief Operations Officer Martinair - December 28, 2007

  Schiphol, December 28, 2007 - Martinair’s Supervisory Board has appointed Mr.
  D. (Diederik) Pen (39), currently Senior Vice President Operations, to the position of Chief Operations Officer (COO).
  
  In his capacity as COO, Mr. Pen will carry final responsibility for operational processes within Martinair, joining CEO Paul Gregorowitsch and CFO Rob de Fluiter Balledux with a seat on the Management Board of Martinair.

  Diederik Pen joined Martinair on November 1, 2006. For ten years prior to that, he worked in Australia for Virgin Blue and Brisbane Airport. His career started at the Schiphol Group.

• 20.Martinair Cargo starts new service to Xiamen, PRC China - August 13, 2007

  Amsterdam/Hong Kong, August 13, 2007. Following the successful operation in Nanjing & Tianjin, Dutch freighter specialist Martinair Cargo will extend its step in China and start a weekly Boeing 747 freighter service between Xiamen and Amsterdam (the Netherlands) as from August 26, 2007.
  The flights will operate every Sunday on the route Xiamen-Bangkok-Sharjah-Amsterdam. Martinair will offer capacity to Europe as well as to its cargo hubs in Bangkok & Sharjah. Cargo from Europe to Xiamen will be accommodated on Martinair’s flights every Saturday on the route Amsterdam-Sharjah-Tianjin-Xiamen.

  Xiamen is located on the southeastern coast of Fujian Province and its economy is growing rapidly as an increasingly popular site for foreign investors. Xiamen has become a “window city” for China’s opening to the outside world since its establishment as one of China’s first four Special Economic Zones in 1981.

  Mr. Ivan Wu (36), graduated from Xiamen University, is appointed as Sales Manager Xiamen and will oversee all the commercial activities of Martinair Cargo in Xiamen. Mr. Wu has more than 13 years of experience in Air Cargo industry by starting his career in Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited.  Moreover, he has good connection in sales and operations in Xiamen.
  He reports to Mr. Francis Tsao (61), Sales Director Eastern & Northern China, who is based in Shanghai.

• 21.President & CEO Arie Verberk to be succeeded by Paul Gregorowitsch - July 27, 2007

  Schiphol Airport, July 27, 2007. Effective September 1, 2007, Arie Verberk will be succeeded by Paul Gregorowitsch as President & CEO of Martinair. Mr. Verberk will be reaching the age of 65 and will be retiring from Martinair after 12 years of service.

  Until recently, Paul Gregorowitsch (51) served as the commercial director of KLM’s Passenger Division. After joining KLM in 1980, Mr. Gregorowitsch held various Passenger and Cargo-related positions at home and abroad.

• 22.Sole shareholder for Martinair - June 26, 2007

  Schiphol, 21 June 2007. Developments in the market and fundamental changes in the airline industry over the past years force Martinair Holland to reposition itself in order to secure continuity of its operations in the future. Adjustments of destinations, product and organisation have so far not given the company a firm base to be sustainable in the years to come. In view of the above the Shareholders, Supervisory Board and Board of Directors have come to the conclusion that it would be in the interest of all stakeholders to realize a single shareholder structure for Martinair, preferably with KLM. It is the intention of shareholders to start negotiations to effectuate this.

  Apart from this the Supervisory Board and the Board of Directors have the intention to commence a restructuring program that should lead to a long term sustainable operation.
  A recent in depth study of the various Martinair activities has shown that Martinair's cargo business is healthy and has a solid reputation. The activity shows substantial upside.

  Martinair's long haul passenger business is considered to have enough potential to warrent continuation, but needs to improve its results drastically to be sustainable in the long run. This can not be said for the short haul passenger business. Martinair intends to exit this market as the sub scale operation leads to prohibitively high unit costs and in view of the price levels and fierce competition in this market it is not justified to invest to reach the necessary scale.

  Martinair will look at the sustainability of other activities and will either divest them or keep them where outsourcing is not possible or justified.
  The Supervisory Board and Board of Directors are aware that these substantial measures will have negative consequences for part of its staff. It goes without saying that a social plan will be put in place to deal with the unavoidable forced retirement of some of our staff as fairly as possible. In the coming weeks management will start discussions with all relevant stakeholders - especially Martinair's Works Council – in order to be able to effectuate the above intended decisions.

• 23.Martinair generates net loss of € 7 million in 2006 - April 24, 2007

  Schiphol, April 24, 2007. While a net profit of € 14 million had been achieved in 2005, Martinair closed 2006 at a net loss of € 7 million. Operating income for 2006 totaled minus € 17 million (2005: € 22 million). Total turnover amounted to more than € 1.2 billion (2005: € 1.1 billion).

  Cargo turnover rose by 13% to € 798 million (2005: € 706 million) and cargo volume grew by 6% to 3,712 million cargo ton/kilometers (2005: 3,518 million). Cargo activities achieved a loss of € 3 million (2005: € 40 million positive). The results were negatively impacted by high fuel prices and a number of one-off costs associated with phasing out the Boeing 747-200 fleet. The results achieved on cargo operations suffered also as a result of the negative figures generated by Colombian subsidiary Tampa Cargo.

  Turnover on passenger operations rose by 10% to € 377 million (2005: € 342 million). In relation to last year, the number of passenger seat/kilometers remained more or less constant at 9,068 million (2005: 9,095 million). Passenger operations generated a loss of € 15 million
  in 2006 (2005: minus € 17 million). Despite achieving various improvements, spiralling jet fuel prices rendered these largely ineffective.

  Other activities related to third-party work and the subsidiaries Marfo, MVVL and Skyjob and amounted to € 61 million (2005: € 50 million). The activities generated a profit of € 1 million (2005: a loss of € 1 million)

  Interest rate charges amounted to € 4 million (2005: € 4 million). Tax gains amounted to € 8 million in 2006, while the tax burden amounted to € 1 million in 2005.

  In 2007, Martinair strives to return to profitability levels comparable to the years before 2006.

• 24.Record volumes of Valentine flowers for Martinair Cargo - February 25, 2007

  Schiphol Airport, February 25, 2007. Martinair Cargo has been transporting thousands of flower boxes for this year’s Valentine’s Day around the world.  During the pick period of January 22 through February 7, Martinair Cargo moved 7,500 tons of flowers from South America to the United States and Europe. Martinair operations in Africa (Nairobi and Harare) accounted for an additional 1800 tons of cut flowers to Europe.  Combined that is a record 9,300 tons of flowers being transported to satisfy the ever growing demand by consumers of fresh cut flowers on this day dedicated to love and friendship.

  In the American operation Martinair and daughter Tampa Cargo Airlines jointly moved the cut flowers. Martinair is specialized in the transport of fresh cut flowers by providing state of the art cool-chain logistics using a combination of vacuum cooling, refrigerated trucks and warehouse coolers at their facilities.