KLM looks at more 787-10s or the A350-1000 or 777-9

Air France-KLM is considering purchasing more Boeing 787-10s but is also looking at the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-9 for KLM’s future long-haul fleet requirements. An order could be placed this year, Dutch aviation website Luchtvaartnieuws reports. It quotes Group CEO Ben Smith, who discussed fleet plans during an internal KLM webcast on Tuesday. KLM looks at more 787-10s or the A350-1000 or 777-9.

Smith’s remarks are interesting, as it is the first time he has shared insights on the fleet renewal plans for KLM. The airline currently operates a mixed long-haul fleet of Boeing 777-200s and -300Rs, Airbus A330-200s and -300s, and Boeing 787-9s and -10s. The A330s were supposed to be phased out during the Covid-crisis in 2020

but were eventually retained. They will now leave the fleet “as fast as possible”, said Smith, as they are noisy and less efficient. Some 777s are also getting of age and need replacement.

More 787-10s would be the easiest option.

The preferred option seems to be buying more Dreamliners, said Smith in the webcast: “The 777 and 787 have a lot of synergies, like the dual cockpit qualification. There isn’t another airline in Europe that is positioned to have a fleet of aircraft that have that much commonality. More 787s would position us to have the most efficient widebody fleet in Europe. It saves on maintenance; it saves on training; it is a massive simplification.”