The champagne corks must have jumped at Airbus. The European aircraft manufacturer never ceases to garner giant orders snatched from the nose and beard of its great rival Boeing. After Qantas, Thursday, December 16, it was Air France-KLM’s turn, the same day, to turn away from the American manufacturer to fall into the arms of the Toulouse aircraft manufacturer. The Benjamin Smith-led airline announced on Thursday a firm order for 100 medium-haul A320s with 60 optional aircraft. In addition, Air France has placed an order for four A350 long-haul cargo versions, to which are added four optional units. A total contract, list price, of more than 13 billion dollars (nearly 11.5 billion euros). The largest group order in Air France-KLM’s history.
For Boeing, the news is a real defeat. Indeed, the 160 medium-haul will come “Renew the KLM and Transavia Netherlands fleets, and (…) renew and grow the Transavia France fleet ”. Clearly, the 737 of the American manufacturer will give way to the new generation medium-haul Airbus. On the Air France side, we are assured that it is the only economic and environmental performance of the A320 family aircraft that led to the ousting of Boeing in favor of Airbus. Future planes “Allow a unit cost reduction of more than 10%, as well as a reduction in fuel consumption and CO emissions2 by 15%. Their noise footprint is also 50% lower ”.
At Air France-KLM, we assure you, not to have received any pressure from the State to choose Airbus. Other voices admit that “the subject has certainly arrived on the table”
At Air France-KLM, we assure that we do not have “Not received pressure from the state” to choose Airbus. Other voices admit that “The subject has certainly arrived on the table “. After the billions paid by the French and Dutch taxpayers, it would have been a little inappropriate for the Franco-Dutch company to buy American planes rather than European ones. However, Airbus has come a long way. Originally, a first part of this order was to be placed in the last months of the presidency of Jean-Marc Janaillac, predecessor of Benjamin Smith at the head of Air France-KLM. At the time, he wanted to buy one hundred 737 MAX to renew and develop the only fleet of Transavia France. The then opposition of the National Union of Airline Pilots (SNPL) had derailed the project. Just before the MAX was banned from flying after two air disasters.
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