After completing his most recent Boeing flight for KLM, the King of the Netherlands has brought his time at the controls of the Dutch government’s official aircraft to an end, marking his final farewell to the 737.
The aircraft, registered PH-GOV, is a factory-built VIP Boeing 737-700 designated BBJ1. It has been used by the senior leadership of the Government of the Netherlands since 2018, and King Willem-Alexander was the first pilot to fly it.
Final flight on the Dutch government Boeing 737 (PH-GOV)
That last flight took place today (07), with the BBJ1 operating from Venice to Amsterdam under His Majesty’s command. After landing at Schiphol Airport, Alexander was presented with a small memento in recognition of 8 years flying the Netherlands’ “presidential” 737.
Only last month, he had already said goodbye to the commercial Boeing 737 as well, carrying out his final KLM flight on the type by flying the 737-800 variant.
Willem-Alexander’s long-standing connection to aviation
Alexander’s involvement with aviation goes back to the 1980s. In 1985, he gained his private pilot licence and, two years later, obtained further flying certifications. While at university, he completed additional theoretical training that enabled him to serve as a volunteer pilot in Kenya for organisations focused on healthcare support and environmental conservation, including AMREF and the Kenya Wildlife Service.
In 1989, the then prince received the qualification required to fly large multi-engine aircraft. Later, in 1994, his father, Prince Bernhard, awarded him the military brevet for large aircraft. Since 2001, the King has held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), one of the highest qualifications in civil aviation. Alexander is also type-qualified on the Cessna C208 Caravan and the military transport aircraft C-130 Hercules.
To keep his flying hours current, Willem-Alexander has, for years, served as an unpaid guest pilot for KLM. Up to mid-2017, he flew both the previous government aircraft, registered PH-KBX, and Fokker 70s in KLM Cityhopper’s regular fleet.
In 2017, the monarch began the operational conversion to the Boeing 737, receiving certification in June of that year. According to the Dutch government, the move to the type was decided even before the process to replace the official government aircraft began.
KLM Cityhopper stopped operating the Fokker 70 at the end of 2017. Around the same time, the Dutch government confirmed the selection of a Boeing 737 Business Jet as the country’s new official aircraft.
Why he will not alternate between the 737 and the Airbus A320neo family
With KLM now retiring the 737, Alexander will not fly both aircraft types, even though the government will continue to operate the BBJ and there is no legal restriction preventing him from flying Airbus A320neo family jets alongside the Boeing.
The decision is driven by operational safety: the aircraft are significantly different and follow different design philosophies. Alternating between the two is not recommended for a pilot, as it can increase the risk of procedural confusion-something that has already been shown to be fatal in certain accidents.
As a result, the King of the Netherlands will now be seen in the cockpit only on KLM commercial flights, continuing both his passion for flying and his service to the country, given that he is not paid for his work at the airline.
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