Airbus won a dispute with Boeing for the renewal of the fleet of KLM and Transavia. Previously the Airlines Group had defined the planes to renew the Air fleet, opting for Airbus aircraft.
KLM will opt for the Airbus A320neo and A321neo to replace its Boeing 737-800/900 aircraft. The company had previously signed a large order with Embraer for the E195-E2, as a replacement for its Embraer E-Jets E1 and Boeing 737-700 aircraft.
Transavia should receive a mixture of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft.
The total order is for 100 A320neo family aircraft, including the A320neo and A321neo models, with purchase options for a further 60 aircraft. Deliveries start in 2023, according to Airbus.
The 160 planes are expected to operate with KLM, Transavia and Transavia Netherlands. KLM currently has almost 50 Boeing 737 NG planes (Previous Generation to the 737 MAX) in its fleet, the Transavia Netherlands division has 40 Boeing 737 NG planes, and the French division has 50 737 NG planes.
Air had previously closed a firm order for 60 A220 aircraft.
The order has a good financial impact on Airbus, totaling US$22 billion in list price. However, it is worth mentioning that a large order is rarely closed without generous discounts from the manufacturer.
This order was even negotiated with Boeing, for the order of several 737 MAX aircraft, since KLM and Transavia already operate with the 737 NG. However, Air 's capital increase in KLM, as well as the standardization of fleets, may have increased the advantages of using Airbus aircraft.
The new long-range versions of the A321neo, capable of replacing the A330-200, may also contribute to this airline's decision.
Order for up to 8 Airbus A350F aircraft
Along with the order for the A320neo family aircraft, the Air -KLM Group signed a letter of intent to purchase four A350F aircraft, the new freighter version of the A350XWB already operated by Air .
Air -KLM would be among the launch operators for the A350F Full Freighter. The deal could convert Air 's orders from the enger A350 to the cargo version. The company currently has 12 A350-900 aircraft in operation, and 26 on order.
