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The Air France KLM Board of Directors, which met on 15 September, approved the Group’s order of 110 long-haul aircraft (50 firm orders and 60 options), still subject to the finalization of discussions with the manufacturers.
This first joint long-haul order by Air France and KLM will be replacing in the medium term the
aircraft with 200 / 350 seats currently present in the fleet and support the Group’s growing
operations.
The acquisitions are scaled to a size that can be financed through cash flow generated from
Group operations.
Consistent with the provisional fleet plan, this order will result in the Group’s operation of 73 next
generation aircraft through 2024: 43 Airbus A350-900 and 30 Boeing 787-9. The first aircraft
Boeing 787-9 order will enter into service with KLM in 2016 and the first Airbus A350-900 with
Air France in 2018. Later, both airlines will operate both types of aircraft.
The selection of engines for the Boeing 787-9 will be made later. The Airbus A350-900 will be
equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the only engine provided for this aircraft by the
manufacturer.
These new aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by over 15% and will give rise to a significant
reduction in noise and gas emissions, confirming the Group’s commitments in terms of
environment and sustainable development. Air France KLM is a member of the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index since 2004 and also leader of the “Transport and leisure” sector.
Within the framework of this order, Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, the
Group’s aircraft maintenance department, is confirming its commitment to position itself as a key
market player for the maintenance of these aircraft and their engines.
Following this approval, memoranda of understanding will be signed with Airbus, Boeing and
Rolls Royce and the finalized contracts are expected before the end of the year.
“For its first joint order, the Air France KLM group made its selection after a detailed assessment
showing all the performance characteristics of each aircraft, including their energy and
environmental performance” declared Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France KLM. Peter
Hartman, president & CEO of KLM added: “Their integration into the fleet will enable the Group
to continue to operate one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the world”.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
