Plesman

Plesman is a Dutch surname. It is most prominently associated with Albert Plesman, a key figure in the early history of Dutch aviation.

Albert Plesman (1889–1953) was a Dutch aviation pioneer who served as the first director of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the Netherlands’ national carrier. He founded KLM in 1919 and led the airline through its formative years, shaping its development as a major international carrier. Under his leadership, KLM established a network of international routes and helped promote the growth of scheduled air transport in the interwar period and after World War II. Plesman was a proponent of professional airline management, safety standards, and cooperation within the broader international civil aviation community. His work contributed to the normalization and expansion of international air travel in Europe and beyond.

Beyond Albert Plesman, the surname is less frequently noted in historical records. In general, the name is recognized primarily through its association with early Dutch aviation and with KLM’s origins.