Summary
- The Air France-KLM group is planning to order around 50 recent long-haul twin-aisle aircraft, with a call expected by the top of the month.
- The group is looking to switch its aging Boeing 777-200s, Airbus A330-200s, and A330-300s, but it can not replace its newer Boeing 777-300ERs.
- The alternative between Airbus’ A350 models and Boeing’s 787-10 and 777-9 will rely on range and on-time delivery, with delays in aircraft delivery causing operational issues for the airlines.
The Air France-KLM Group has been flirting with the concept of expanding and revamping its aging long-haul fleet. The order is certain to be substantial, which has Boeing and Airbus vying for it.
In line with reports by The Air Current via AeroTime, sources near the deal have said that the order is for an estimated 50 long-haul twin-aisle aircraft. No final decision has been made about which manufacturer or models have been chosen, but reports state that the choice should come by the top of the month.
Photo: Airbus
Fleet details and changes
In line with Planespotters.net, the Air France-KLM group currently operates 537 aircraft, 519 of that are in energetic service and one other 18 parked. Regarding the age of the aircraft, Air France-KLM‘s H1 2023 report released in June states that:
“The typical age of the aircraft within the operational fleet was 12.2 years, of which 12.5 years for the long-haul fleet, 12.9 years for the medium-haul fleet, 20.3 years for the cargo fleet, and 9.2 years for the regional fleet.”
Air France-KLM is looking to switch the 26 Boeing 777-200s, 21 Airbus A330-200s, and five Airbus A330-300s. Not all older widebodies are on the chopping block. The airline also operates 59 Boeing 777-300ERs, which aren’t being replaced as they’re relatively recent.
Photo: JHcreative | Shutterstock
The breakdown of the aircraft each airline operates is split by the next:
- 33 777-200s – 18 Air France, 15 KLM
- 26 Airbus A330-200s – 15 Air France, Six KLM.
- 5 A330-300s – KLM
Recent order
The brand new order of roughly 50 aircraft pits Airbus’ A350-900 and A350-1000 versus Boeings 787-10 and 777-9. The 4 models which can be pitted against one another are all very capable machines for the roles. The deciding aspects might be range and on-time delivery.
Typically, these aircraft will have the ability to handle any of the 2 airlines’ long-haul routes comfortably, but the present geopolitical situation in Europe has made it difficult. Large swaths of airspace around Ukraine and Russia are blocked, and lots of operators aren’t willing to fly near the airspace.
KLM
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- KL/KLM
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
- Yr Founded:
- 1919
- Alliance:
- SkyTeam
- Airline Group:
- Air France-KLM
- CEO:
- Marjan Rintel
- Country:
- Netherlands