Air France-KLM to place order for 50 Airbus A350 family aircraft

The Air France-KLM Group (AFLYY) plans to place a landmark aircraft order to pursue the renewal and rationalization of its long-haul fleet, to the benefit of the Group’s environmental and economic performance. This Group order will cover 50 Airbus (EADSY) A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft – with purchase rights for 40 additional aircraft – with first deliveries expected in 2026 through to 2030. These aircraft will replace previous-generation aircraft, namely Airbus A330 and older Boeing (BA) 777 aircraft. This new order will come in addition to an existing Air France-KLM order for 41 Airbus A350-900s for Air France, of which 22 have been delivered to date. Air France-KLM will also be among the launch customers of the Airbus A350 Full Freighter version of the aircraft, having ordered 8 aircraft to renew and expand its cargo fleet. As of September 25, 2023, Air France-KLM operated a fleet of 533 aircraft to over 300 destinations worldwide. Once this order is placed, the Group will have over 220 aircraft on order, including 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, with first deliveries expected by the end of 2023. This order remains subject to standard company approvals.