Air France has passed the halfway point in deliveries of its order for 60 Airbus A220-300s, with 32 now in its inventory.
Having started taking delivery of its aircraft in September 2021, deliveries are scheduled to continue until the end of 2025. They are steadily replacing the French flag-carrier’s existing fleets of Airbus A319s and A318s, the smallest variant of the A320veo family.
As of 30 September, Air France still had 14 A319 and six A318 in the fleet, compared to 30 and 18 respectively on the same date a year previously. The A220 is deployed on flights out of Paris Charles de Gaulle and serves the airline’s short- and medium-haul routes.
Air France has calculated the benefits of the A220 compared to the older aircraft as a 10% reduction in cost, 20% reduction in fuel burn and CO₂ emissions and 34% less noise. Asked whether the aircraft had suffered from the engine problems that have led to widespread unscheduled powerplant removals or checks, a spokesman for the airline said that the fleet “operates normally.”
“Right now, our priority is to continue receiving our entire order. We receive up to 15 A220 annually, that’s more than one a month. This is the fastest entry into fleet of any aircraft in Air France’s history. This is the fastest fleet renewal program.
“By 2030, 70% of Air France’s fleet will be made up with latest generation aircraft (A220, A350, Boeing 787) compared to 7% in 2019.”
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