Freight Air France-KLM confirms order for four Airbus A350F

Following a Letter of Intent signed in December 2021, the Air France-KLM group has now announced the firm commitment to purchase four new Airbus A350 Freighter aircraft. As part of the deal, the group also holds purchase rights for four additional freighters.

According to the manufacturer, the aircraft are destined for Air France, who will use the A350Fs to boost their freight network and cargo capacity. Currently, the subsidiary airline is using mainly Boeing freighters.

The A350s will be based at the airline´s main operational hub located at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, where the airline has built a global hub with a new 14,000 square meters cargo terminal.

Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, said: “Airlines now have a choice, and we salute Air France joining those going for the A350F’s step change in efficiency and sustainability for the cargo operations of the future. We are gratified by the wave of early adopters who, like Air France, see the economics and environmental signature of the A350s as standing out versus alternatives, past, existing and future. Merci Air France.”

Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, added: “The Airbus A350 passenger version has been instrumental to the improvement of our economic and environmental performance, while proving to be a passenger’s favorite. We are thrilled to be among the launch customers of its freighter version, which will significantly increase our capacity and give us the means to continue to provide the best service to our customers around the world.”

Airbus introduced the A350 Freighter late last year and since then, several airlines have signed purchase agreements. Air France-KLM belongs to the launch customers of the A350F. Based on the popular passenger version, the A350F offers 11% more volume while enabling a 15% reduction in fuel burn and CO₂ emissions compared to previous generation aircraft.

The reduction in emissions is mainly down to the efficient Rolls-Royce engines and its reduced weight through composite materials. Together with further aerodynamical advancements and state-of-the-art avionics, the aircraft is one of the most modern freighters in the industry.

Air France-KLM already operates with 15 A350s already and 38 aircraft are set to join the group´s airlines. AFKLM has an aircraft fleet of over 500 aircraft and offers flights to more than 300 destinations around the world.