The Dutch government took delivery of its new government jet, an B737 BBJ registered PH-GOV to replaces the previously used Fokker 70. Saturday 6 July 2019, it was show to the public at Woensdrecht Air Base.
After 59 years the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Koninkrijk der Nederlanden) took delivery of a non Fokker aircraft as their primary government jet. The Boeing 737-700 BBJ straight from the Factory was flown to Woensdrecht April 2018, where the cabin was outfitted by Fokker Techniek.
PH-GOV, B737
PH-GOV, B737
PH-GOV, B737
PH-GOV, B737
PH-GOV, B737
PH-GOV, B737
PH-GOV, B737
PH-GOV wears a complete new, heavily debated, livery. The silver, white, blue has a small red line on the nose, and the orange can only be found on the winglets. The royal insignia and “Koninkrijk der Nederlanden” titles are shown next to the front door.
History Dutch Government aircraft
The first government jet to be used was a surplus war Dakota used by Prince Bernhard. The DC-3 PH-PBA, referring to Prince Bernhard, was officially introduced as government aircraft in 1946 wearing a red-white-blue cheatline.
PH-PBA, DC-3
PH-PBA, DC-3
PH-PBA, DC-3
PH-PBF, Fokker 27
The Dakota was replaced, obviously by a Dutch build aircraft in 1960. Fokker 27 Friendship PH-PBF was used for 12 years, again with a red-white-blue cheatline. The four stars in the tail referred to the Inspector-General rank of Prince Bernhard. This was also the first aircraft with a “bizjet” interior. After its government carrier, PH-PBF was sold to an Indonesian airline. It crashed during a storm in 1976.
The first jet introduced was another Fokker, The F28 Fellowship PH-PBX. The registration referred to Princes Beatrix, heir to the throne. In 1985 the interior was refurbished. Unlike the previous aircraft the color scheme was changed to orange (cheat line and tail), with two blue lines in the tail. The aircraft was replaced in 1996 due to noise and environmental regulations.
PH-PBX, Fokker 28
PH-PBX, Fokker 28
In 1996, a Fokker 70 PH-KBX, was introduced to replace the Fellowship. KBX was referring to Queen Beatrix. The aircraft featured 24 seats and a VIP room. Also, then modern satellite links were available for fax and telephone. It wears the same color scheme as used on the F28. In 2010 the interior was refurbished and communication equipment updated, for instance with an internet link-up.
PH-KBX, Fokker 70
PH-KBX, Fokker 70
PH-KBX, Fokker 70
The Fokker 70 was maintained by KLM, who was replacing their Fokkers 70 and 100 by Embraer. This consequentially meant that the government was in need of a replacement as well. So, it was decided that a Boeing 737 BBJ should be acquired, which can also be maintained by KLM.
As the new B737 BBJ was fresh of the factory and the build of the interior would take some time a temporary solution was found in leasing a similar Privajet B737 BBJ (9H-BBJ). Also because the F70 was sold to Alliance Airlines, Australia.
9H-BBJ, B737
| Periode |
Registration |
Aircraft |
| 1946 - 1960 |
PH-PBA |
Douglas DC-3 |
| 1960 - 1972 |
PH-PBF |
Fokker 27 |
| 1972 - 1996 |
PH-PBX |
Fokker 28 |
| 1996 - 2017 |
PH-KBX |
Fokker 70 |
| 2019 - present |
PH-GOV |
Boeing 737BBJ |
Leased: 2018 - 2019 9H-BBJ Boeing 737BBJ