Air France-KLM Converts Most A350-1000 Orders to A350-900s

dailyblitz.de 4 hours ago

PARIS- Air France-KLM Group (AF) has revised its widebody aircraft order strategy, converting most Airbus A350-1000 orders to the smaller Airbus A350-900. The change impacts its long-term fleet renewal plans from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).

The adjustment follows the airline group’s 2023 commitment to 50 A350s, initially split between A350-900 and A350-1000 variants, intended to replace older Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 models. Airbus production data now confirms the significant shift toward the A350-900 version.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Air France-KLM Orders

Airbus backlog figures for the first seven months of 2025 show that Air France-KLM has converted 8 of its 11 A350-1000 orders to the A350-900 variant.

This transition signals a focus on operational flexibility, fuel efficiency, and optimal capacity for the group’s network requirements.

Air France had previously placed a separate order for 38 A350-900s, with 36 aircraft already delivered, alongside four A350 Freighters.

The recent 50-aircraft agreement positions the airline group to become the world’s largest A350 operator.

Reported by Flight Global, this move aligns with broader industry trends of selecting aircraft types better matched to evolving demand.

Airbus A350 Program Orders

As of the latest Airbus data:

  • A350-900: 1,009 total orders
  • A350-1000: 354 total orders
  • A350F: 65 total orders

These figures highlight the growing dominance of the A350-900 variant in global fleet planning, with airlines prioritizing its balance of range, efficiency, and passenger capacity.

Photo: Airbus

Cargo Fleet Adjustments

The group’s cargo division, Martinair, also saw a change in its Airbus A350F order book. The latest figures show one A350 Freighter removed from its original four-unit commitment, reflecting a possible adjustment to projected cargo demand.

However, Airbus’s updated backlog indicates one A350F has been removed from Martinair’s order, reducing the total to three.

This change aligns with Air France KLM’s (AF) hybrid cargo strategy, combining dedicated freighters with belly cargo capacity in passenger aircraft.

The A350F, with its 122-ton payload and wide cargo door, supports the group’s commitment to sustainable cargo operations, though delivery delays until mid-2027 prompted the adjustment.

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News

Air France CEO Justifies Airbus A380 Retirement Over New Planes

The post Air France-KLM Converts Most A350-1000 Orders to A350-900s appeared first on Aviation A2Z.

Read Entire Article