KLM Appoints René de Groot as Chief Operating Officer

Summary
Effective 1 January 2015, René de Groot (45) is appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He succeeds Pieter Elbers, who is now President & CEO of KLM since October 15, 2014. De Groot will be in charge of KLM’s operational divisions.

“René de Groot will be an asset to the KLM leadership team. I have every faith that René will take on this challenging job with verve, thanks in part to his KLM-wide experience. I wish him the best of success.
Pieter Elbers, KLM President & CEO"

René de Groot joined KLM in 1990 and is currently Senior Vice President of Operations at Engineering & Maintenance. Previously, De Groot was captain aboard the Airbus A330 and Boeing 737.