News
Air France-KLM places deal for 25 Boeing 787s
Jan. 12, 2012, Paris, France - Air France-KLM has finalized a $5.7 billion order for 25 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners as part of its plan to expand its fleet, announced in September last year.
January 12, 2012 By Carey Fredericks
The order is part of Air France-KLM's request for 50 aircraft, worth $12 billion, split between Boeing and Airbus. The deal also includes options to purchase an additional 60 aircraft, which takes the total order to approximately $27 billion.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Jim Albaugh said: "By making the 787 a key part of its fleet renewal, Air France-KLM strengthens its position as a worldwide leader. Reaction to the Dreamliner's entry into service has been phenomenal and we look forward to seeing passengers of Air France-KLM fly on this revolutionary airplane."
Boeing announced the order in September last year, but did not disclose the name of the airline.
The wide-body, fuel-efficient Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features similar characteristics to Boeing's 787-8 and will carry 250-290 passengers and offer a range of 8,000-8,500nm (14,800-15,750 kilometres). The Dreamliner travels at a speed of Mach 0.85, which is similar to the speed of the fastest wide-body airplanes.
The planes will be delivered from 2016-2026, with the initial Dreamliners expected to enter into service with KLM in 2016; the Air France planes will be delivered at a later date. Air France-KLM operates a fleet of 188 Boeing aircraft that includes 74 airplanes for Air France and 114 for KLM. The current KLM order increases Boeing's order to 305, with the Dreamliner family comprising 860 orders from 59 customers.
Eight French companies are partnering with Boeing for 787 Dreamliner development including Dassault Systems, Labinal, Latecoere, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, Michelin, Radiall, Thales and Zodiac Aerospace.
