Air France-KLM is to renew its long-haul fleet by ordering 50 fuel-efficient Airbus A350 aircraft.
The aviation group said it had signed a deal with Airbus for 50 A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft, with an option for a further 40 aircraft. The first deliveries are expected in 2026.
The 50 A350s will be allocated between KLM and Air France “according to local market dynamics and regulatory conditions” and will replace Airbus A330s and older Boeing 777 aircraft. KLM said it expected to begin deploying A350s on long-haul flights from 2026.
Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith said: "This new order will be a major step in the renewal of the group’s fleet. The Airbus A350 is a state-of-the-art aircraft with an excellent track record at Air France, where it has rapidly become a favourite among passengers and crew since its entry into service in 2019.
“It 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.”
Smith added that these new aircraft would be “instrumental” in helping the group meet its sustainability targets including reducing carbon emissions by 30 per cent per passenger kilometre by 2030.
These new A350s consume 25 per cent less fuel than previous generation aircraft by using lighter materials, while its noise footprint is also 40 per cent lower.
The new order with Airbus is in addition to the group’s existing order for 41 A350-900s for Air France – 22 of these aircraft have already been delivered to the airline.