As of 1 October, Harm Kreulen, Managing Director of KLM Benelux, will retire and be succeeded by Bas Gerressen

In his current position as Director of KLM Benelux, he has worked relentlessly for more than 10 years, particularly to strengthen KLM’s position in its home market of the Netherlands. The highlight was in 2019, the year KLM celebrated its centenary and transported a record number of 35.1 million passengers.

In the last 2 years, during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, Harm Kreulen and his team have worked hard under difficult circumstances and restructured KLM Benelux to be ready for a structural recovery with new challenges towards the future. These challenges will be taken up by Bas Gerressen, who will succeed Harm Kreulen as of 1 October.

Bas Gerressen, currently SVP North America, will return to the Netherlands this summer. He has been with KLM since 1999 and has gained extensive commercial experience in previous positions including Sales Manager Business Market Netherlands, Commercial Director Gulf Region, Head of Commercial Planning and General Manager China. Of his 22 years of service, Bas Gerressen spent 11 years working abroad, where he worked closely with several key partners including Delta Air Lines.

“I would like to thank Harm Kreulen for the many years of dedication and effort that have led to great results. I have every confidence in Bas Gerressen who will take on the commercial responsibility for KLM and Air France in the Benelux market.” KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers