THE UK wing of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has appointed ING Car Lease as sole contract hire and maintenance supplier after its fleet size increased from eight to almost 50 cars.

Based at Heathrow, the airline operates a 48-strong fleet consisting of Ford, Jaguar and Volvo cars driven predominantly by sales and marketing and support functions staff.

Until recently the company operated just eight company cars but an inter-company transfer of business operations led to expansion of the mixed job and perk vehicle fleet.

The airline's human resources manager May Williams, who has responsibility for the fleet operation, said: 'With only eight vehicles we had leased the cars and managed them internally. However, with the expansion of the fleet to 48 vehicles, the decision was taken to secure competitive quotes from the marketplace.

'The key factors for KLM was giving a choice of vehicles to employees and making sure our company car drivers have support 24 hours a day.'