Air France-KLM CEO: Air France 787-9s give 'good leverage' in fleet negotiations with OEMs

Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith, speaking at Air France-KLM's investor day presentation, stated (05-Nov-2019) Air France will retain its current fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft as it provides "good leverage" in negotiations with Airbus for the replacement of A330-200s and earlier model 777s and allows it to "continue to be able to select either Airbus or Boeing". He said it gives the carrier "a lot of flexibility" as it can later decide whether to transfer the aircraft to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines or put them out on the market if it decides to exit them from the Air France fleet.