Jasper takes flight with KLM

The KLM Royal Dutch Airlines fleet recently welcomed its 11th Boeing 777-300, named after Alberta’s Jasper National Park.

The aircraft bearing registration PH-BVP now also displays Jasper National Park’s name on its fuselage, as the airline traditionally names this fleet type with famous world heritage sites and nature reserves.

“With the numerous natural reserves and parks in this country, we would need a 100+ B 777 fleet to highlight all that Canada has to offer to travellers” said Jean-Noel Rault, vice-president and general manager Air France/KLM in Canada. “We are proud to be honouring Jasper National Park following the May 2015 opening of our fifth gateway in Canada:  Edmonton.”

KLM has a long tradition of naming its aircraft. Its Airbus A-330s are named for city squares, the B-737s are christened after birds and the brand new Dreamliners bear flower names: Carnation, Sunflower, and Bougainvillea are the first to have been recognized. The B-747s are named after cities; Vancouver is featured on PH-BFV and Calgary on PH-BCC making Jasper National Park the third KLM aircraft displaying a Canadian reference. Names are submitted by fans or by the airline’s staff. The Board of KLM acts as jury to choose the names of the newcomers to grow its 114 aircraft fleet.