Airbus has secured another customer for its production line A350F, with Air France KLM signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) for four A350Fs and purchase rights for an additional four aircraft, to increase cargo capacity at Air France.
The order comes with full substitution rights to Airbus A350 passenger aircraft, which constitute the new spearhead of the Air France long-haul fleet. The airline currently operates 12 of the 38 aircraft of the type on order.
The AF-KLM deal, part of a euro billion passenger fleet replacement order with Airbus, comes shortly after Singapore Airlines (SIA) signed a LOI to purchase seven A350F freighter aircraft, with options to order another five.
Only last month, CMA CGM Group signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to purchase four A350Fs.
November also saw Air Lease Corporation sign a LOI for seven A350Fs.
Benjamin Smith, chief executive of the Air France-KLM Group, said: “These evolutionary orders will position our Group airlines on the path to improved performance while accelerating our decarbonization trajectory.
“This is a major step forward for KLM, Transavia and Air France, which will operate the best aircraft available for their network needs. The outstanding performances of the A320neo family and of the A350F full-freighter, which are quieter, more fuel-efficient and more cost-effective aircraft, make them the best choices for the long-term growth of our fleet.
“They will be instrumental in reaching our ambitious targets, including zero net CO2 emissions by 2050.”
