Air France-KLM Orders 50 Airbus A350 Aircraft
Air France-KLM is set to place an order for 50 Airbus A350 aircraft, with acquisition rights for an additional 40 units, as part of its effort to expedite the renewal of its long-haul fleet. This decision positions the Group to become the world's leading operator of the Airbus A350 family.
The order will be made at the Group level and includes both Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 models. It comes with acquisition rights for an extra 40 aircraft. Initial deliveries are expected to commence in 2026 and will continue until 2030. This is a flexible order, allowing the Group to allocate the aircraft to its various airlines based on market dynamics and local regulatory frameworks.
Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM Group, stated, "This new order will be a significant step in renewing the Group's fleet. The Airbus A350 is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has already proven its worth at Air France, where it has quickly become a favorite among passengers and crews since its introduction in 2019. It perfectly meets the needs of the Group's network and delivers outstanding performance: it's quieter, more fuel-efficient, and more cost-effective than previous-generation aircraft. It will play a key role in achieving our ambitious decarbonization goals, including a -30% reduction in CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometer by 2030."
These aircraft will replace older-generation planes that will be gradually phased out of the Group's fleet in the coming years, including Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 aircraft. This new order complements a previous one for 41 Airbus A350-900 aircraft for Air France, of which 22 have been delivered to date.
Air France-KLM will also be among the launch operators of the Airbus A350F Cargo, with the Group ordering 8 aircraft of this version to renew and expand its cargo fleet.
Taking into account all orders placed to date, Air France-KLM is poised to become the world's leading operator of the Airbus A350 family, with up to 99 aircraft.
The Airbus A350 symbolizes a transition towards more sustainable air travel. This aircraft allows for a 25% reduction in fuel consumption compared to older aircraft of equivalent size, thanks to the use of lighter materials: 53% composites and 14% titanium. Its noise footprint is also reduced by 40%.
By 2028, the share of next-generation aircraft in the Air France-KLM fleet will reach 64%, compared to 5% in 2019.