Low-cost carrier Transavia named one of its latest Airbus A321neos, featuring a special retro livery, after the airline’s founder John Block.
The naming was part of Transavia’s 60th anniversary celebrations which kicked off on October 21, 2025, at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
The birthday party included appearances from Ben Smith, the CEO of Air France-KLM Group, Marjan Rintel, the CEO of KLM, and Wouter van Wersch, the Executive Vice President International Airbus.
Transavia said the “highlight of the day” was the christening of the retro-inspired Airbus A321neo that will forever bear the name ‘John Block’ who founded the airline in 1965.
“Sixty years of Transavia is above all a story of people: colleagues, partners and millions of passengers whom we have connected with each other. John Block was there at the beginning of that story. With entrepreneurial spirit and courage, he made flying accessible to a wide audience,” said the Transavia CEO, Marcel de Nooijer. “It is therefore fitting that our retro Airbus – the aircraft that symbolically connects the past and the future – bears his name. We are proud of our heritage and look ahead with the same energy: affordable, reliable and with a focus on sustainability.”
Earlier in the morning, a panel discussion was held on the future of Dutch aviation, with COO Marloes van Laake representing Transavia and (prospective) Members of Parliament from the VVD, CDA and BBB parties.
Block was co-founder and first CEO of Transavia Holland. Transavia said that his “customer-focused and entrepreneurial approach laid the foundation for the airline’s success and inspired generations of aviation professionals”.
“The best way to celebrate our anniversary is to continue investing in the future – exactly as John Block would have intended: with ambition, entrepreneurship and an eye for our customers,” said de Nooijer.
The celebratory Airbus A321-252NX, registered PH-YHD, entered service in July 2025. According to flightradar24, the aircraft is scheduled to fly to Kalamata International Airport (KLX) on October 22, 2025, but was allowed the day off to enjoy the anniversary celebrations.
