The 240 athletes and trainers were met with a festive reception including a water salute from Schiphol’s fire brigade. Upon arrival, the Dutch flag waved proudly from the cockpit window. The flight was captained by former Olympic speed skater, Leo Visser. KLM CEO Pieter Elbers came to meet the athletes together with former Olympic sailor – now KLM pilot – Lisa Westerhof.
Team NL won a total 19 medals in Rio de Janeiro: eight gold, seven silver, and four bronze medals. Following the reception, the Olympians travelled to the RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre in Amsterdam where the official welcome-home ceremony took place.
#Oranjeboven – Orange on High – KLM’s orange Boeing 777
On 14 June, KLM introduced its first and only orange Boeing 777. The airline uses the aircraft wherever possible during events to help promote the Netherlands.
