Air France-KLM Group, Airbus sign for 25 A350-900 plus a further 25 on option at the 50th International Paris Air Show

Le Bourget, 24-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — This morning, Air France-KLM finalized a firm order with the European manufacturer Airbus for 25 A350-900 plus a further 25 on option. The signing took place at the 50th International Air Show at Le Bourget near Paris, in the presence of Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and CEO of the Air France-KLM Group as of 1 July 2013 and Fabrice Brégier, Chairman and CEO of Airbus.

The A350-900 will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the only engine offered for this aircraft by the manufacturer. With the latest technology, the Trent XWB engine will significantly contribute to the performance of the Airbus A350.

This aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by over 15% compared to current aircraft and will also significantly reduce noise and gas emissions, confirming the Group’s commitment to the environment and sustainable development*. Air France-KLM has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Index since 2004, where it has been industry leader in the “Transport and Leisure” sector for the past four years.

“This order of new-generation, high performance aircraft reflects the importance of our investments for the benefit of our customers, whose comfort is at the heart of our concerns. With the A350, Air France-KLM will continue to operate one of the most modern fleets in the world, and ensure the growth of its long-haul activity, while achieving significant cost savings.” said Alexandre de Juniac.

Peter Hartman, President and Chief Executive Officer of KLM, said: “Our order for this new aircraft type opens a new chapter for the Group. This aircraft introduces major environmental advances and will contribute to our ambitious targets for noise and carbon reduction.“

In addition, Air France-KLM today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rolls-Royce on equipping its A350 with Trent XWB engines, including a section on their maintenance by Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. The Group’s aircraft maintenance division intends to be on the market for the maintenance of these engines.

This contract with Airbus finalizes the firm order for 50 aircraft – 25 A350-900s and 25 Boeing 787-9s – announced in September 2011. In December 2011, Air France-KLM also signed a contract to acquire 25 firm orders for Boeing 787-9s with another 25 on option.

This joint order of long-haul aircraft between Air France and KLM aims to replace the 200/350-seater aircraft currently in the fleet in the medium term and also aims to support the Group’s growth. These acquisitions are designed to be funded by the Group’s operating cash flow as from 2016.

Based on the provisional fleet plan, the first Boeing 787-9 aircraft will enter into service with KLM in 2016 and the first A350-900 will enter into service with Air France in 2018. In the future, the two airlines will operate both types of aircraft.

* neutral growth in CO2 emissions as from 2020.

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