Due to the impact of COVID-19 on anticipated activity levels, the Air France-KLM Group announces today the definitive end of Air France Airbus A380 operations – two years ahead of their original retirement date.
Initially scheduled by the end of 2022, the phase-out of Airbus A380 fleet fits in the Air France-KLM Group fleet simplification strategy of making the fleet more competitive, by continuing its transformation with more modern, high-performance aircraft with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.
Five of the Airbus A380 aircraft in the current fleet are owned by Air France or on finance lease, while four are on operating lease. The global impact of the Airbus A380 phase-out write down is estimated at 500 million euros and will be booked in the second quarter of 2020 as a non-current cost/expenses.
The Airbus A380s will be replaced by new generation aircraft, including Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, whose deliveries are ongoing.