Air France orders Airbus A220, details A380 retirement
Air France orders Airbus A220, details A380 retirement

Air France Orders Airbus A220, Details of A380 Retirement

Aaron Hilsz-Lothian·
A220Air FranceAirbusAirbus IndustrieAviation NewsOrders

Air France-KLM has placed a firm order for 60 Airbus A220-300 jets as part of a fleet renewal plan, confirming rumours of the order that have circulated in recent times.

Additionally Air France-KLM has signed for 30 options and 30 acquisition rights, allowing for the gradual replacement of Air France’s ageing Airbus A318 and A319 fleet.

“The acquisition of these brand new A220-300s aligns perfectly with Air France-KLM’s overall fleet modernisation and harmonisation strategy.”

Benjamin Smith, CEO of the Air France-KLM Group

According to Planespotters.net, Air France’s fleet of 18 A318s are at an average age of 14.2 years. Their 33 A319s come in a little older with an average age of 18.2 years.

Powered by the Pratt and Whitney Geared Turbofan engine and featuring the latest in aerodynamic advancements; the Airbus A220, formerly known as the Bombardier CSeries, is a major upgrade in operating efficiency, performance and passenger comfort.

Air France orders Airbus A220, details A380 retirement
Airbus A220-300 unveiling

Air France-KLM notes the Airbus A220-300 is “perfectly adapted” to their network; they will allow for greater efficiency on domestic and European routes, spanning short to medium-haul.

Deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled to begin in September 2021.

With an order book of 551 aircraft, as of the end of June 2019, the A220 has proven to be a great success for Airbus; who remains confident it has the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100-150 seat aircraft market.

Airbus A380 Retirement

Adding to the significant news around Air France-KLM, the decision to retire 10 Airbus A380s from the Air France fleet by 2022 has been made.

From the Air France-KLM press release:

“The current competitive environment limits the markets in which the A380 can profitably operate.”

Air France orders Airbus A220, details A380 retirement

Compared to newer and more efficient long-haul aircraft. such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the A380, with its four engines, consumes 20-25 per cent more fuel per seat.

Paired with an outdated cabin product and the costs associated with refurbishing them, the aircraft no longer makes sense for the Air France fleet. Also in the press release was a note reflecting on Airbus’ decision to terminate the A380 program.

Air France-KLM will now be assessing new aircraft on offer from Airbus and Boeing to replace the super jumbo.

Currently in production now, and soon to enter ground testing, the first Airbus A350 for Air France is on its way. In recent times KLM announced they will not accept any A350s, instead will leave them for Air France and take the 787 orders.

Thoughts

The order for the A220 was greatly expected, thanks, in part, to the large amounts of rumours and discussion held within the aviation community over the last few weeks.

As Europe continues to push for cleaner travel, and with oil prices rising, the decision to push forward with new aircraft is a given.

Although a lot of clarity is still required as to where and how Air France will use the A220s; the order comes as great news for Airbus, who is in the process of ironing out the production of the type.

Regarding replacement of the larger narrow bodies such as the A320s, no announcement has been made; however to maintain commonality, it is likely Air France will go for the A320neo family, unless Boeing comes in with an incredibly good price for the 737 MAX.

Air France orders Airbus A220, details A380 retirement
KLM Boeing 737

Despite this, KLM is a 737 operator so it could just be that Air Frances takes on the A320neo and KLM selects the 737 MAX.

The decision to retire the A380 comes as great sadness for many; however with the market being so competitive, and the costs becoming hard to look at, it was bound to happen soon regardless.

What are your thoughts on Air France-KLM’s fleet news?

Aaron Hilsz-Lothian

Based in Sydney Australia, Aaron currently works as as a load control planner among the regional operation centre of a major airline. In addition to this, he has multiple years of experience in a frontline aviation environment including ramp, customer acceptance and freight. Writing casually for Sam Chui since 2018, he intends to use his experience in the industry to answer everyday questions that passengers often ponder and to shed light on the complex systems that make aviation so fascinating.

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2 Responses

  1. Agreed with Garry. My cousin is a pilot for Iberia. While he has full confidence in twin engine long hauls, deep inside pilots always want the absolute peace of mind that comes with four engines. In his nearly thirty years as a commercial airline pilot, he has had two engine failures.. One was way back in the day when Iberia flew 747s, Madrid to Mexico City. Engine #1 failed more than halfway across the Atlantic, and the three remaining engines made It without incident to Orlando without incident. Jacksonville was more directly on its flight path, but its runway was shorter for a large aircraft, and risky considering only three engines for reverse thrust. However, he also told me a 330 engine failed on a smaller hop, and while there was never any significant risk, the single engine was “running hot” but still within limits as it was under far more stress and operated at a much higher temperate and oil pressure than the three remaining engines on the 747.

    I always try to fly British Airways transatlantic in their relic 747s because of this reason, even though their business class product is not up to par.

    Reply

  2. I think its totally tragic whats happened to the A380! Ok,its not the best looking aircraft but an amazing piece of engineering architecture that CONSUMERS LOVE !! It has so much space onboard, especially for economy passengers that REALLY see the benefits being in small cramped seats and having that extra room and airy’ness makes the flight so much more comfortable for all!! Its appaling that airlines are listening to their finance officers rather than their clientel!

    I know of the problems with running costs/efficiency etc but frankly i do believe now they are pushing the limits on 2 engine aircraft over distance/size of plane and as they are getting bigger and bigger yet again 2 engines its becoming unsafe! Yes with todays technology they are probably never going to crash or fall out of the sky and will make it over the Pacific or Atlantic with no problems but its the priority that buggs me! Forget safety ,costs are more important over lives! I certainly would want a four engine plane from LAX to HK for example! Its all getting too dangerous and their will be if this 2 engine trend keeps going, a bad aviation accident in the future.

    What shocks me the most over the A380 was it was designed particuarly to shut-up the green-lobby! Less planes in the sky as one doing the job of 2 or 3 to a destination in a day! Though airlines again on the march for profit choose 4 small ones saying , “a spacing of flights to same destination over a day is better for are clients”! Well yes but it goes in the face of the ‘green-issue’ to which this aircraft was designed for airlines to fight the anger against them by saying we do care,look we are reducing flights by combining them into one or 2 A380’s a day and cutting pollution,especially at hubb airports! Basically costs have won and people like cheap!

    Real shame for long-haul though! The days of ‘suites ‘ will be long gone soon and that was in my view a return on atleast the plane/aviation era to the 1950’s glamour of flying if you could afford the luxury of suites on Singapore and Arabic airlines like Etihad,Qatar and the likes.It will be harder in future to offer luxury on small planes but if thats where markets is going the market is king!

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