Air France-KLM may select Airbus instead of Boeing for medium-haul jets

Air France-KLM Group may select Airbus A321neo aircraft instead of Boeing 737 MAX jets for the future supply of medium-haul aircraft, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters on December 8, 2021.  

New aircraft would replace Boeing 737 fleets of Dutch unit KLM and those of the French and Dutch low-cost arms, Transavia France and Transavia.  

Currently, Transavia operates a total of 39 Boeing 737s, Transavia France operates 54 Boeing 737s, while KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operates 46 Boeing 737 aircraft, according to Planespotters.net. It is worth noting that all three airlines belong to Air France-KLM Group. 

Air France-KLM has been in talks with Boeing and Airbus since the group launched its tender offer to renew and extend its subsidiaries’ medium-haul fleets in July 2021.  

During the Skift Aviation Forum in September 2021, Air France-KLM Group chief executive Ben Smith assured that the group within months would decide on a new order for at least 80 medium-range jets with an extra 60 or 80 options. 

“What is totally in our control is the decision on what aircraft we’re going to fly, which aircraft we’re going to replace and at what speed,” Smith explained.