The Air France-KLM Group plans to renew its long-haul fleet with a big new order for 50 Airbus A350 widebodies, including both the A350-900 and A350-1000 models. It will also secure options on another 40 aircraft.
The airline group expects deliveries of the new A350s to run from 2026-2030. It will decide on the mix of models as market conditions and local regulations evolve over time. The new A350s will replace earlier generation widebodies, including Airbus A330 and older Boeing 777 models.
Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith says the A350 “is the perfect fit for the network needs of the Group and boasts outstanding performances: it is a quieter, more fuel efficient and more cost-effective aircraft compared to previous generations.”
The new order will add to Air France-KLM’s existing order for 41 Airbus A350-900s for Air France, of which 22 have been delivered so far.
Air France-KLM is also among the launch customers of the A350 Full Freighter model after ordering eight aircraft to renew and expand its cargo fleet.
The new orders will make Air France-KLM the world’s largest A350 family aircraft operator. The group currently operates a fleet of 533 aircraft to over 300 destinations worldwide. Once this new order is placed, Air France-KLM will have over 220 aircraft on order, including 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Douglas Royce is currently co-editor of four of Forecast International's Market Intelligence Services: Civil Aircraft Forecast, Military Aircraft Forecast, Rotorcraft Forecast, and Aviation Gas Turbine Forecast. As such, he plays a key role in many important projects that involve market sizing and forecasting for various segments of the world aerospace industry, as well as demand for related systems.
