The Air France-KLM Group is in talks with manufacturers Airbus and Boeing to place a multimillion-dollar wide-body aircraft order. Considerations for this decision include geopolitical factors and the need to replace older aircraft.
According to journalist Jon Ostrower of The Air Current, the group is expected to place a joint order for Air France and KLM of 50 aircraft, and the candidates include the Boeing 787-10, Boeing 777-9, Airbus A350-900, and Airbus A350-1000.
One of the fundamental criteria for selecting these aircraft is that they must be capable of replacing the 33 Boeing 777-200ER, 21 Airbus A330-200, and 5 A330-300 that have an average age of 22 years in the fleet.
Geopolitical tensions force the search for ultra-long-range aircraft
Another key factor being evaluated is the need for the new aircraft to have a significant flight range. Recent geopolitical tensions in different parts of the world have posed significant challenges for airlines.
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A recent case in central Africa involves coups in countries such as Sudan, Niger, Gabon, Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone, which have forced airlines to cancel flights, and governments have closed the airspace, resulting in extensions of more than two hours on flights.
In the Middle East, military conflicts in Syria, tensions in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have reduced the available flight routes.
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Furthermore, the closure of airspace with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine has significantly affected routes between Europe and Asia.
European airlines have faced difficulties finding alternative routes, which has led to considerably longer flights. On the other hand, Asian airlines, especially the Chinese ones, have taken advantage of this situation to expand their operations in Europe.
The current wide-body fleet at Air France/KLM
Apart from the mentioned Boeing 777-200ER and Airbus A330, the current wide-body fleet of Air France/KLM includes:
- Air France:
- Airbus A350-900, with 21 in service and 20 pending delivery.
- Boeing 777-300ER, with 43 in service
- Boeing 787-9; with 10 in service
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Boeing 777-300ER, with 16 in service.
- Boeing 787-9, with 13 in service.
- Boeing 787-10, with 10 in service and 5 pending delivery.
See Also: KLM refurbishes the interiors of its Boeing 737-800
As for narrow-body aircraft, the group has placed orders for a hundred Airbus A320neo and A321neo to replace the Boeing 737 Next Generation in both companies, as well as for its low-cost airline, Transavia.
Air France is also in the process of replacing its Airbus A318, A319, and A320 with Airbus A220-300, with plans to have a fleet of 80 A220 aircraft before 2030.
