This aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by over 15% compared to current aircraft and will also significantly reduce noise and gas emissions, confirming the Group's commitment to the environment and sustainable development*. Air France-KLM has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index since 2004, where it has been industry leader in the "Transport and Leisure" sector for the past four years.

In addition, Air France-KLM today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rolls-Royce on equipping its A350 with Trent XWB engines, including a section on their maintenance by Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. The Group’s aircraft maintenance division intends to be on the market for the maintenance of these engines.

This contract with Airbus finalizes the firm order for 50 aircraft – 25 A350-900s and 25 Boeing 787-9s – announced in September 2011. In December 2011, Air France-KLM also signed a contract to acquire 25 firm orders for Boeing 787-9s with another 25 on option.

This joint order of long-haul aircraft between Air France and KLM aims to replace the 200/350-seater aircraft currently in the fleet in the medium term and also aims to support the Group’s growth. These acquisitions are designed to be funded by the Group’s operating cash flow as from 2016.

Based on the provisional fleet plan, the first Boeing 787-9 aircraft will enter into service with KLM in 2016 and the first A350-900 will enter into service with Air France in 2018. In the future, the two airlines will operate both types of aircraft.

(*) neutral growth in CO2 emissions as from 2020.

This first joint long-haul order by Air France and KLM will be replacing in the medium term the aircraft with 200 / 350 seats currently present in the fleet and support the Group's growing operations.

The acquisitions are scaled to a size that can be financed through cash flow generated from Group operations.

Consistent with the provisional fleet plan, this order will result in the Group's operation of 73 next generation aircraft through 2024: 43 Airbus A350-900 and 30 Boeing 787-9. The first aircraft Boeing 787-9 order will enter into service with KLM in 2016 and the first Airbus A350-900 with Air France in 2018. Later, both airlines will operate both types of aircraft.

The selection of engines for the Boeing 787-9 will be made later. The Airbus A350-900 will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the only engine provided for this aircraft by the manufacturer.

These new aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by over 15% and will give rise to a significant reduction in noise and gas emissions, confirming the Group's commitments in terms of environment and sustainable development. Air France KLM is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index since 2004 and also leader of the “Transport and leisure” sector.

Within the framework of this order, Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, the Group’s aircraft maintenance department, is confirming its commitment to position itself as a key market player for the maintenance of these aircraft and their engines.

Following this approval, memoranda of understanding will be signed with Airbus, Boeing and Rolls Royce and the finalized contracts are expected before the end of the year.

“For its first joint order, the Air France KLM group made its selection after a detailed assessment showing all the performance characteristics of each aircraft, including their energy and environmental performance” declared Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France KLM. Peter Hartman, president & CEO of KLM added: “Their integration into the fleet will enable the Group to continue to operate one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the world”.