De Kroonduif
De Kroonduif, a former subsidiary of Dutch airline KLM, was the national carrier of Netherlands New Guinea (present day Western New Guinea, Indonesia), between 1955 and 1963. The name 'kroonduif' is the Dutch word for 'crowned pigeon', refering to the crowned pigeon endemic to New Guinea, which was assumed as the logo of the company.
History
On the 14th July 1955, the company Nederlands Nieuw Guinea Luchtvaart Maatschappij (NNGLM) was established as a subsidiary of Dutch airline KLM, to provide air services within the Dutch territory of Netherlands New Guinea. This new airline, operating under the name of Kroonduif, was based at Biak, and operated several routes throughout the territory with two de Havilland Canada Beavers.
Later the fleet was also supplemented with Douglas DC-3 Dakotas and Twin Pioneers.
As Western New Guinea was being incorportated into Indonesian territory, on the 1st January 1963, the operations of De Kroonduif were absorbed by Indonesian airline Garuda.
Destinations
According to the De Kroonduif timetable dated 1st December 1958, at the time the following destinations were served:
- Biak, Ajamaroe, Fak Fak, Hollandia, Kaimana, Kebar, Kokonao, Manawi, Manokwari, Merauke, Napan, Noemfoer, Ransiki, Sorong, Steenkool, Tanah Merah, Teminaboean, Wasior, Wisselmeren
References
- Time Table, De Kroonduif, 1st December 1958
- Vliegen in het stenen tijdperk: De Dakota's van de Kroonduif (Dutch)