The Development of Aviation and Aeronautical Research in Holland in Recent Years

Extract

To understand aviation in Holland well, it is necessary to draw special attention to two points. The first is that Holland is a small country with a small military force and industry; both are also relatively small. The second point is that Holland has always occupied a central position in traffic lines. These two leading factors also rule things in aviation. They explain the following:

The industry exists without any financial aid from the Government and only a small number of military machines are required annually. The air–traffic company (K.L.M.—Royal Dutch Air Lines) has a small amount of Government subsidy, but has, however, the advantage that the interest of our bankers and shipping concerns, in a quite natural way, is directed towards traffic in general and this interest could be won for air traffic in particular. The Government is fully alive to the importance of this new branch of transport.

When we now turn to history the following can be seen.