Air France-KLM Group has ordered four Airbus A350Fs, which will be operated by Martinair Holland, part of KLM Group. The aircraft will accelerate the Amsterdam Schiphol-based Dutch cargo carrier’s fleet modernization plans.
On Friday (January 27, 2023), Airbus announced that Air France-KLM Group has placed a firm order for four Airbus A350Fs, the brand new Airbus widebody freighter. The freighters will be operated by Martinair Holland N.V., part of the KLM Group. The aircraft will play a key role in the fleet modernization of the Amsterdam Schiphol-based Dutch cargo carrier, allowing Martinair to retire their existing older generation freighters with more sustainable clean sheet aircraft.
In Friday’s order announcement, Air France-KLM Cargo’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director – Martinair, Adriaan den Heijer, said,
“We are delighted to make this major step forward to the A350F. It accelerates Air France KLM Martinair Cargo sustainability ambitions with significant improvement on fuel emissions and complying with most stringent ICAO Chapter 14 for noise and CAEP 8 for NOx. We are fit for the future!”
Also commenting on the new freighter order, Airbus’ Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, Christian Scherer, said,
“Another A350F endorsement, and a great one too! We are delighted to see the A350F enter the KLM/Martinair world, confirming the relevance this most modern high capacity long range cargo aircraft brings to the airfreight segment. I am very pleased with the way our program is taking off. With 50% less noise, and 40% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared to the previous generation aircraft it is replacing, that is hardly a surprise! We thank Air France-KLM Group for their continued confidence.”
The Airbus A350 Freighter offers a high level of commonality with the A350 Family passenger aircraft versions. The aircraft features a 109 ton payload capacity, the largest main deck cargo door, and a fuselage length optimized around industry-standard pallets and containers. Over 70 percent of the A350F is made of advanced materials, resulting in 30 ton lighter takeoff weight, which together with efficient Rolls-Royce engines, deliver a reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions of at least 20 percent compared to its closest current competitor. Delivery to Martinair will come in time to comply with the latest ICAO CO2 emissions standards that will come into effect by the end of 2027. Launched in 2021, The Airbus A350F has already won 35 orders from seven customers.
Source: Airbus