Air France KLM to order 110 Airbus A350 and Boeing 787

The Air France KLM Board of Directors approved the Group’s order of 110 long-haul aircraft (50 firm orders and 60 options), still subject to the finalization of discussions with the manufacturers. This first joint long-haul order by Air France and KLM will be replacing in the medium term the aircraft with 200/350 seats currently present in the fleet and support the Group’s growing operations. The acquisitions are scaled to a size that can be financed through cash flow generated from Group operations. Consistent with the provisional fleet plan, this order will result in the Group’s operation of 73 next generation aircraft through 2024: 43 Airbus A350-900 and 30 Boeing 787-9. The first aircraft Boeing 787-9 order will enter into service with KLM in 2016 and the first Airbus A350-900 with Air France in 2018. Later, both airlines will operate both types of aircraft. The selection of engines for the Boeing 787-9 will be made later. The Airbus A350-900 will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the only engine provided for this aircraft by the manufacturer. Following this approval, memoranda of understanding will be signed with Airbus, Boeing and Rolls Royce and the finalized contracts are expected before the end of the year.