DDA Classic Airlines’ Douglas DC-3 saved from retirement at the last minute

Just days after DDA Classic Airlines (formerly known as the Dutch Dakota Association) flew its last planned commercial passenger flight with its sole Douglas DC-3, the aircraft has been saved from retirement at the last minute. With the news being celebrated by vintage aircraft enthusiasts worldwide, the venerable airliner will continue to fly passengers, albeit on a limited basis, keeping the history of one of the most produced aircraft ever built alive for future generations in the Netherlands.

2024 was all set to be the final year of commercial flights for DC-3 PH-PBA (named ‘Princes Amalia’). In February 2024, it was revealed that regular passenger flights on the aircraft would come to an end at the end of the 2024 season, to the bitter disappointment of all those involved or who had an interest in the aircraft. The decision to end such flights was said to be based on a series of considerations that effectively rendered the continued operations of such a classic old airliner economically unviable.   

In an e-mail to supporters, issued by the DDA on February 12, 2024, it was revealed that the retirement of the DC-3 had become unavoidable. The increasing costs of hangarage, landing fees, and insurance had become prohibitive for a volunteer organization like DDA Classic Airlines that was unable to secure long-term financial support. Other factors that contributed to the decision to retire the DC-3 included the rising costs of fuel and the difficulty in finding maintenance volunteers.

After a hugely successful 2024 flying season, PH-PBA operated what was presumed to be its last passenger-carrying flight on October 16, 2024, from Maastricht-Aachen Airport (MAS) to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport AMS). Indeed, upon its arrival in Amsterdam, the aircraft was met by a crowd of well-wishers and supporters, while  ‘Princes Amalia’ herself was greeted with a traditional water salute by two Schiphol Airport fire and rescue trucks. There was even a farewell ceremony held in the plane’s honor, with many of those present expecting the aircraft to then be sold overseas or worse still, scrapped entirely.

However, after lengthy negotiations, on October 19, 2024, the DDA board of directors revealed at a meeting of donors and sponsors that the aircraft will now be remaining in the Netherlands after all. The plane is now due to enjoy a new lease of life as part of the collection held at the Aviodrome Museum in Lelystad. The DC-3 will continue to fly on a reduced frequency and will be supported in its operation by a team of volunteers, crews, and engineers from the DDA.

The setup of the operation will change to allow for this, with the organization surrendering the Air Operating Certificate (AOC) under which it has previously flown. This will allow the organization, which will be renamed, to free itself of regulatory burden and the associated costs involved in holding such a certificate. The aircraft will now operate under the Museum as its custodian with all current members of the DDA being asked to donate to the Museum rather than a specific fund to support the aircraft. Additionally, DC-3 flights operated by the Aviodrome will only be accessible to donors and sponsors of the aircraft.

The Aviodrome, or ‘Nationaal Luchtvaart-Themapark Aviodrome’ to give the attraction its full title, is a large aerospace museum in the Netherlands that has been located at Leylstad Airport since 2003. The Museum is home to a huge range of ex-military and civilian aircraft, some of which bookmark the 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 the original bare metal livery of KLM.   

Have you ever had the opportunity to fly on a Douglas DC-3? If so, tell us about your experience in the comments below. We’d love to hear all about it!