It's about time... Air France is one of the last major airlines not to have placed an order for new aircraft for its short- and medium-haul network for almost a decade. Some of the airline's aircraft on its short-haul routes are now flirting with the 18 years oldThis is a more than venerable age in the airline industry. Especially as its older generation aircraft are particularly energy-hungry. fuel compared with current models. An order was therefore made official on 30 July following the Group's Board of Directors meeting, which opted for Airbus A220formerly Bombardier, with sixty devices to replace the Airbus A318 and A319. In the official Airbus catalogue, an A220 costs around 62 million.
During the Paris Air Show in June, having also weighed up the option of acquiring Boeing 737MAX. But the equipment problems - and the recent discovery of new technical problems - are working against the American aircraft manufacturer.
to become the European leader in air transport
" The acquisition of these new A220-300s is perfectly in line with Air France-KLM's overall fleet modernization and harmonization strategy. "Benjamin Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Air France-KLM Group. " This aircraft guarantees optimum operational and economic efficiency and will enable us to further improve our environmental footprint thanks to low fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions. This aircraft is also perfectly suited to our domestic and European network and will enable Air France to operate more efficiently on its short and medium-haul network. (...) This is another very important step in the transformation of Air France, and this fleet upgrade underlines the Group's determination to become the European leader in air transport".he adds.
The Airbus A220 has a capacity ranging from 100 to 150 seats, depending on the version, and can travel up to 6,200 km - a sufficient distance to cover non-stop routes from Paris to AstanaDubai, Halifax or Lagos. With 40% of the aircraft in composite materials and the latest-generation engines, the Airbus A220 offers a fuel economy per seat of 20% compared with previous-generation aircraft. On board, with its wide windows and larger baggage compartments, the aircraft offers comfort similar to that of a wide-body aircraft. This order will enable Air France to reduce fuel consumption and give its fleet greater flexibility of use.
Keeping this aircraft in the fleet would entail significant costs and would not make economic sense.
The Air France-KLM Board of Directors also took the opportunity to clarify the fate of the A380which will be permanently withdrawn from the Air France fleet by 2022. " The current competitive environment limits the markets in which the A380 can be operated on a commercial basis. cost-effective" the group's managers explain. " With its four engines, the A380 consumes 20 to 25% more fuel per seat than new-generation long-haul aircraft and emits more CO2. The maintenance costs of the device are increasing and the refurbishment of A380 cabins would require a very substantial investment. Keeping this aircraft in the fleet would involve significant costs and would not make economic sense, even though the programme for this aircraft has been halted by the manufacturer in 2019. " If the fate of the A380 is now sealed, it remains to be seen how Air France-KLM will replace its very large aircraft...
