Earlier today, the Air France-KLM Group announced its intentions to purchase 50 next-generation Airbus A350 aircraft.
Adding more next-generation Airbus widebodies
The Air France-KLM Group, which includes the two flag carriers and Transavia, is renewing its widebody fleet. Just a few hours ago, the group announced it would order 50 Airbus A350s, with options for 40 more. The order would make the group the world’s largest operator of the aircraft, with several already in operation by Air France. Though the variant and airline breakdowns are unavailable, the airline group revealed the new purchase will include the -900 and -1000.
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According to the group, the first deliveries are expected in 2026 and will go through 2030. The purchase has not been finalized but will include purchase rights for an additional 40 aircraft that can be exercised.
“This will be an evolutionary order, providing the Group with flexibility to allocate aircraft within its portfolio of airlines, according to market dynamics and local regulatory conditions.” Air France – KLM Group
Fleet renewal and sustainability were cited as the primary reasons for the new purchase, as the airline group needs to replace aging Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s. Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith said,
“It will be instrumental in helping the Group reach our ambitious sustainability targets, including -30% CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer by 2030.”
Smith highlighted the significance of the A350 since joining Air France’s fleet in 2019, saying its track record is excellent and the aircraft has been extremely popular among passengers and crew.
Analyzing the KLM and Air France fleets
According to Air France, 22 of the 41 Airbus A350s previously purchased have already been delivered. If all the aircraft added in the upcoming purchase went to AF, the airline would have a massive fleet of 91 A350s, giving the airline one of the youngest widebody fleets in the world. The average age of its current A350 fleet is less than two-and-a-half years.
The flag carrier of France also has a large fleet of Boeing widebodies, divided between 777-200ERs, 777-300ERs, and 787-9s. The average age of the 18 -200ERs is 23.3 years, while the average age of the 43 -300ERs is lower, at 15.1 years. Just ten 787-9s are in operation with Air France, and the airline currently has no Boeing widebodies on order.
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On the Airbus side, Air France has 15 older A330ceos (A330-200s) with an average age of 20.9 years. As the airline group prepares for fleet renewal, its share of new-generation aircraft should reach 64% by 2028, compared to a mere 5% in 2019.
KLM’s fleet is slightly more diverse and split between Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The Dutch airline has a younger Boeing fleet as it has incorporated the 787-9 and 787-10 into its fleet, operating 13 and 10 of each type, respectively. KLM is also awaiting delivery of another five -10s, the largest variant of the Boeing Dreamliner family.
The 777-200ER and -300ER are also part of KLM’s fleet, with the -200ERs nearing an average age of 19 years. The -300ERs are much younger and under ten years. Just 11 Airbus A330s are part of KLM’s fleet, six -200s and five -300s. The -200s average 17.6 years, and the -300s are nearing 11 years.
Do you think KLM will begin to operate the A350 in the near future? Let us know in the comments below.