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The Air France KLM Group has firmed up its plans to reduce the number of Airbus A350 freighters it has on order by trimming one of the model from subsidiary Martinair’s backlog.
Following the decision, the Netherlands-based freighter operator has three of the next-generation aircraft on order.
Martinair and Air France had each initially ordered four of the aircraft, but in March, the group said that it planned to reduce its orderbook for A350Fs from eight to six.
Air France will also reduce its order to three of the model.
At the time, the Franco-Dutch airline group said that the decision to slim down its order had been made in light of production delays and following a fleet portfolio assessment.
“Air France-KLM constantly assesses its fleet portfolio to best balance future capital expenditures with commercial and operational efficiency,” a spokesperson for the airline said at the time.
“With this in mind, and in the context of Airbus’s announcement that the Airbus A350F Full Freighter’s entry-into-service would be delayed, the group has decided to adjust its order of the type, from eight to six Airbus A350F aircraft.
“This confirms the Group’s commitment to operating a mixed cargo model, with a fleet of full freighter aircraft, capable of addressing the diverse needs of its customers.”
The A350Fs will replace Air France’s Boeing 777-200F aircraft and KLM/Martinair’s Boeing 747-400F aircraft, whose leases can be extended to ensure the continuity of full-freighter operations.
At present, AFKMP Cargo operates two Boeing 777Fs and four Boeing 747-400Fs.
AF KLM is not the only Airbus customer to have reduced the number of A350Fs it has on order.
Last month, launch customer Air Lease removed all seven of the aircraft it had ordered from its orderbook.
The company also cited production delays when explaining its decision, pointing out that contractually, the majority of its A350Fs were already delayed by a year.
But while the delay had been part of the rationale for cancelling the order, the company also points to wariness among operators regarding dedicated cargo aircraft commitments, given the turbulent tariff environment.
In February, Airbus announced it would push back the entry-into-service date of its A350 freighter to the second half of 2027, from its earlier expectation of 2026.
