Air France-KLM has ordered 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft – with purchase rights for an additional 60 aircraft – for KLM and Transavia, and has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the purchase of four Airbus A350F Full Freighter aircraft for Air France.
Air France-KLM Board of Directors stated that they had made the decision to move forward on the Group’s goal to improve its economic and environmental performance through the introduction of next generation aircraft. The airline group also said that the order had “demonstrated its ability to leverage purchasing synergies”.
The firm order for 100 A320neo family aircraft will renew and expand the fleets KLM and Transavia Netherlands and Transavia France.
The order covers Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321neo aircraft. The first deliveries are expected in the second half of 2023. These aircraft will operate medium-haul routes in Europe, notably from Amsterdam-Schiphol - KLM's global hub and Transavia Netherlands' main base, and from Paris-Orly, Transavia France's main base. Details of the cabin configuration will be announced at a later date.
The LOI for the purchase of four Airbus A350F Full Freighter aircraft – with purchase rights for 4 additional aircraft – will increase cargo capacity at Air France in the context of a steady and sustainable growth of demand for air cargo. Air France-KLM would be among the launch operators of the A350F Full Freighter.
Th A350F order would come with full substitution rights to Airbus A350 passenger aircraft, which spearheads the Air France long-haul fleet. The airline currently operates 12 of the 38 aircraft of the type on order.
Benjamin Smith, CEO of the Air France-KLM Group, said: "These evolutionary orders will position our Group airlines on the path to improved performance while accelerating our decarbonization trajectory. This is a major step forward for KLM, Transavia and Air France, which will operate the best aircraft available for their network needs. The outstanding performances of the A320neo family and of the A350F Full-Freighter, which are quieter, more fuel-efficient and more cost-effective aircraft, make them the best choices for the long-term growth of our fleet. They will be instrumental in reaching our ambitious targets, including zero net CO2 emissions by 2050.”
As of December 15, 2021, Air France-KLM operated a fleet of 502 aircraft.