Johan Vanneste, Chief Executive Officer of VLM Airlines, said: “We are delighted to welcome Panamarenko to our home base, and are honoured that his name can be given to one of our aircraft. This competition with Airliner World has been a great success. We are delighted with the creative and extensive range of names that have been suggested by the magazine’s readers, which demonstrate a clear knowledge of the aviation industry in general and in particular, VLM Airlines.”
The judges selected Panamarenko as the winning name because of his Antwerp origins, and as flying is an integral part of his work. Panamarenko is an exceptional artist in contemporary art. Artist, engineer, poet, physicist, inventor and visionary, he has pursued a singular course of exploration of space movements, flights energy and the force of gravity. His work is famous for its many forms; from aeroplanes to flying carpets, birds and flying saucers, the link with the aviation industry is definitely present.
This is the only occasion that Panamarenko has agreed to lend his name to an aircraft.
Richard Maslen, Deputy Editor of Airliner World, said: “Airliner World has reported on the dynamic and impressive growth of VLM Airlines over many years, and we’re delighted to have made this competition possible.”
The competition winner, Koyan Goeree, said: “It is a great privilege and a great honour to be naming an aircraft and adorn it with the name of a favourite artist. His art is a tribute to our common dream: the dream of flying.
“I’m very grateful to Airliner World and VLM Airlines for offering me this fantastic opportunity and to Panamarenko for sharing with us so many great and inspiring ideas.”
- Ends -
About VLM Airlines
In December 2007, VLM Airlines was acquired by the Air France – KLM Group. VLM Airlines is now combining its operations with CityJet, another member of the Air France – KLM Group, to become the No. 1 choice for business travellers to and from the heart of London.
Their award-winning service is now available on over 700 flights a week between London City Airport and 18 UK and European destinations. The airlines currently offer flights from London City Airport to Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Dublin, Dundee, Edinburgh, Eindhoven, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Luxembourg, Manchester, Nantes, Nice, Paris, Rotterdam and Strasbourg.
For more information, visit www.flyvlm.com
