Days after DDA Classic Airlines (formerly Holland-Dakota Association) operated the last planned commercial passenger flight with the only Douglas DC-3, the aircraft was saved from retirement at the last minute. The news was celebrated by vintage aircraft enthusiasts around the world, as the venerable airliner continues to carry passenger service, albeit on a limited basis, and is one of the most prolific aircraft ever built. It will keep history alive for future generations of the Netherlands.
2024 was scheduled to be the final year of commercial flight for the DC-3 PH-PBA (named Princess Amalia). In February 2024, it was revealed that the aircraft’s scheduled passenger service would end at the end of the 2024 season, much to the disappointment of all involved and those interested in the aircraft. The decision to end such flights is said to be based on a series of considerations that make it virtually economically impossible to continue operating such classic old airliners.
On February 12, 2024, the DDA sent an email to supporters confirming that the DC-3’s retirement was now inevitable. Rising costs for hangars, landing fees, and insurance were prohibitive for volunteer organizations like DDA Classic Airlines, which were unable to secure long-term financial support. Other factors that contributed to the decision to retire the DC-3 included rising fuel costs and difficulty retaining maintenance volunteers.
DDA Classic Airlines
After a highly successful 2024 flight season, PH-PBA will operate what is believed to be its last passenger flight from Maastricht Aachen Airport (MAS) to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport AMS on October 16, 2024. It operated. Indeed, upon arrival in Amsterdam, the aircraft was greeted by a large crowd of well-wishers and well-wishers, as well as ‘Crown Prince Amalia’ herself with a traditional water salute from Schiphol Airport’s two fire and rescue trucks. It was done. A farewell ceremony was also held to honor the aircraft, with many in attendance expecting it to be sold overseas, or worse, scrapped completely.
However, after long negotiations, on October 19, 2024, the DDA board made it clear at a meeting of donors and sponsors that the aircraft would remain in the Netherlands after all. The plane will now have a new life as part of the collection housed at the Aviodrome Museum in Lelystad. The DC-3 will continue to fly at a reduced frequency, with operations supported by DDA’s team of volunteers, crew, and engineers.
To enable this, operational configurations will be changed and organizations will be required to relinquish the Aviation Operating Certificates (AOCs) they were previously flying. This relieves the organization whose name is being changed from the regulatory burden and associated costs associated with maintaining such a certificate. The aircraft will now be operated by the museum as its custodian, and all current members of the DDA will be asked to donate to the museum rather than to a specific fund to support the aircraft. Additionally, DC-3 flights operated by Aviodrome are only accessible to aircraft donors and sponsors.
The Abiodrome (the official title of this attraction is ‘National Luchtvad Theme Park Abiodrome’) is a large Dutch air and space museum located at Rijlstad Airport since 2003. Several commercial aircraft characterize this country’s role in aviation history. Such exhibits include a KLM Boeing 747-200, a Fokker 100, a Fokker F27 (x2), and a Lockheed Constellation in KLM’s original bare metal livery.
DDA Classic Airlines
Have you ever had the opportunity to fly in a Douglas DC-3? If so, please tell us about your experience in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.
