Fokker was an aircraft manufacturer established by Anthony Fokker in Germany in 1912 and subsequently centred in the Netherlands. It produced military aircraft, early commercial transports and post-war regional airliners. The aircraft manufacturing company went bankrupt in March 1996, while support and other aerospace businesses continued under separate industrial arrangements.[1]Anthony Fokker and his factories around the worldFokker Heritage Trust · fokker-history.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]Heritage historyFokker Services Group · fokkerservicesgroup.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Origins and international expansion
Anthony Fokker's early aircraft included the Spin, flown in 1911. He founded a factory at Johannisthal near Berlin in 1912 and developed a significant aircraft business during the First World War. After the war, his activities expanded in the Netherlands and the United States. The American operation became associated with General Motors before being sold to North American Aviation in 1934. Fokker's career therefore involved distinct enterprises in several countries, linked by their founder and aircraft designs rather than a single unchanging corporate structure.[1]Anthony Fokker and his factories around the worldFokker Heritage Trust · fokker-history.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Post-war aircraft manufacture
The Dutch company rebuilt after the Second World War and opened its Schiphol-Oost factory in 1951. It produced aircraft to its own designs and under licence. Its principal post-war airliner families included the F27 Friendship turboprop and F28 Fellowship jet, followed by the Fokker 50, 60, 70 and 100. Development of the Fokker 100 began in 1983 alongside the Fokker 50. Manufacturing involved components supplied by companies in several countries, including Germany, Ireland, Britain and the United States, illustrating the international production network behind these Dutch airliners.[1]Anthony Fokker and his factories around the worldFokker Heritage Trust · fokker-history.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]Heritage historyFokker Services Group · fokkerservicesgroup.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[3]Fokker 100Fokker Heritage Trust · fokker-history.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Bankruptcy and continuing support
Fokker's bankruptcy on 15 March 1996 ended its role as an independent producer of complete commercial aircraft. Fokker Services brought together product-support activities from Fokker Aircraft and the maintenance business Fokker Aircraft Services. It became the type-certificate holder for the F27, F28, 50, 60, 70 and 100 families. Continued support for those aircraft therefore survived the manufacturing company's failure, and the service organisation subsequently broadened its capabilities to include aircraft from other manufacturers.[1]Anthony Fokker and his factories around the worldFokker Heritage Trust · fokker-history.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]Heritage historyFokker Services Group · fokkerservicesgroup.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details