With an abruptness that stunned the aviation industry, KLM’s president Van der Beugel resigned his job. KLM lost $21 million in 1961 and another $14 million in 1962’s first nine months.

Eighteen months ago, when he moved in as president of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, diminutive (5 ft. 3 in.) Ernst Hans van der Beugel, 44, looked like a bright hope. A brilliant ex-civil servant who had held the top career post in the Dutch Foreign Office, he appeared to haveā€¦