Air France-KLM has firmed its agreement to acquire 25 Airbus A350-900s, which will be operated by both carriers.
The final agreement to take the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered aircraft has been the subject of long negotiations.
Air France chief Alexandre de Juniac says: "Despite some difficulties we're facing we're in sufficiently good shape to renew our long-haul fleet."
He says the A350 will enter Air France service in 2017. The company is also taking 25 options.
De Juniac says the carrier has reached a "comfortable" agreement with Rolls-Royce over the thorny engine maintenance issue which had delayed the firming of the order.
Air France will be able to maintain its own fleet under the deal, says Rolls-Royce. "Any operator has the right to maintain its own engines," it states.
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Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
