Air France-KLM Orders 50 More Airbuses and Boeings

Air France-KLM said on May 24 it had ordered 30 new Airbus A320-family aircraft, most of which will replace much older A320s in the Air France fleet. This A320 is pictured landing at Air France's hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Credit: Air France/ph DELAFOSSE

Air France-KLM has ordered 50 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing in deals valued at $7 billion at aircraft list prices.

The orders include 30 Airbus A320-family aircraft, two additional A380 superjumbos and 18 Boeing 777s. All of the aircraft are destined for Air France-KLM's French network, which is operated by Air France. The KLM network is based at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Announcing the orders following its annual results press conference in Paris, Air France-KLM said the group exercised options it held on two A380s to add to the 10 A380s it already had ordered. Air France-KLM holds options on another two A380s that it has yet to firm.

The A380 deal forms part of a package agreed by Airbus to compensate Air France-KLM for delays in deliveries of its first ten A380s. The compensation deal also includes cash, Air France-KLM Chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta told reporters.

Spinetta said Air France-KLM expects to receive its first A380 in April 2009.

Most of the other aircraft that the group revealed today it had ordered will be used to replace aircraft now in Air France's fleet. All 18 Boeing 777s from the new order--including five 777F freighters--will replace Boeing 747-400s. Air France will use 19 of its 30 newly ordered A320-family aircraft to replace its oldest A320s, now nearly 20 years old, reported the Associated Press.

• Airbus Completes Painting First A380 for Airline Delivery
• Jet Airways' Boeing 777-300ERs to Feature First-Class Suites
• Tomorrow's Airliners: Stronger, More Comfortable and Mainly Plastic