KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is exploring the possibility of ordering Airbus A350 or Boeing 777X aircraft to modernize its long-haul fleet, as reported by Luchtvaartnieuws. «It would be ideal to place an order this year», said Ben Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM.
During the Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Istanbul, Smith informed Bloomberg about the fleet renewal plans, which include the future addition of wide-body aircraft that can reduce costs and increase operational efficiency.
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KLM considers the possibility of ordering Airbus A350-1000 or Boeing 777-9 aircraft
According to the information, KLM is considering ordering Airbus A350-1000 or Boeing 777-9 aircraft. However, Smith also stated that they do not rule out placing an order for more 787-10 Dreamliners, the most modern type currently in its long-haul fleet.
The company’s intention is to gradually replace its Airbus A330-200, A330-300, Boeing 777-200ER, and 777-300ER aircraft, which have an average age of 17, 11, 18, and 9 years, respectively.
While KLM has predominantly been a customer of Boeing, the European manufacturer offers viable alternatives for its fleet renewal plans. The A350-900 could replace the 777-200ER, while the A350-1000 (the larger variant of Airbus’ latest twin-aisle development) would offer greater range and lower operating costs compared to the 777-300ER.
Boeing could offer the 777-9 as a possible replacement for the latter. However, it is a more expensive model and is still in the development phase. The programme has already experienced repeated delays and does not yet have a scheduled entry into commercial service.
Previously, the Dutch carrier had already ordered A350-900 aircraft, but they were later added to Air France’s fleet. In exchange, KLM received more 787 Dreamliners.
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Closure of Russian airspace among the factors to consider
In addition to considerations related to factors such as seat capacity, fuel consumption, and overall operational efficiency, Ben Smith mentioned that the company will also take into account the current closure of Russian airspace when finalizing an aircraft order to modernize its current fleet.
The situation particularly affects routes between Europe and East Asia, forcing airlines to plan new routes and, in many cases, extending flight durations. Therefore, operators must analyze which type of aircraft best suits these conditions and their specific needs. «An aircraft optimized for 15 hours and another optimized for 12 hours are not necessarily the same», Smith stated.
