KLM Cargo has committed to renewing its present freighter fleet by ordering four examples of Airbus' recently-launched A350F model. Martinair will operate these aircraft, with their deliveries commencing sooner than was initially planned. The move will see Martinair switch from an all-Boeing fleet to all-Airbus.

Time for a change

KLM announced the firm order this morning, highlighting the sustainability improvements that the A350F will bring to its cargo operations. The Dutch flag carrier listed "40% less CO2 and 50% less noise" among the type's advantages. These improvements have come about thanks to lighter materials and new engines.

Martinair is the present operator of KLM Cargo's flights, and it uses the Boeing 747-400F to do so. While these quadjets are somewhat larger than the A350F, the Airbus jet's extra-large cargo deck means that its maximum payload is only slightly lower (108 tonnes vs 113.5-124 tonnes). Given its significantly higher sustainability credentials, it seems an ideal replacement. KLM CEO Marjan Rintel stated:

"Fleet renewal is an important part of KLM's ambition to become more sustainable. In this, we take our responsibility. We want to emit less CO2 because of the climate and reduce noise for local residents. (...) We are accelerating KLM's sustainability efforts with this."

Image: KLM

Deliveries to begin in 2026

Rintel also explained that, while such an order had been on the cards, KLM ended up placing it earlier than planned. Indeed, having initially aimed to start replacing Martinair's Boeing 747 freighters in 2027, this process will now instead commence in the autumn of 2026. The carrier's parent company also welcomed the move, with Adriaan den Heijer, Executive VP of Air France-KLM Cargo, stating:

"I am very pleased with these new, technologically advanced aircraft joining the fleet, which fit well in the Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo operation and our Engineering & Maintenance division. For our customers, the versatility of the A350F is good news for the future. The new aircraft are an important addition, supplementing the belly capacity of our extensive intercontinental passenger fleet."

The move will also bring greater uniformity across the Air France-KLM Cargo fleet as a whole. After all, the French flag carrier confirmed in April 2022 that it would also be ordering four examples of the next-generation European freighter.

Photo: JetKat/Shutterstock

What will they be replacing?

As we have established, the purpose of KLM's latest order is to replace Martinair's four Boeing 747-400F aircraft. However, there is a degree of diversity in the Dutch cargo specialist's fleet, with two sub-variants of the Boeing 747-400F present among these four aircraft. According to data from ch-aviation.com, it has three 747-400ERF aircraft at its disposal, as well as a single example of the 747-400BCF.

The latter of these is the older variant, clocking in at 32.7 years old. Meanwhile, the ERF jets are just 19.6 years old on average. They also have a larger maximum payload (124 tonnes vs 113.5 on the BCF), and wear KLM's famous blue livery with Martinair decals. Meanwhile, the 747-400BCF wears a full Martinair livery.

What do you make of this order? Will you miss seeing Martinair's Boeing 747-400 freighters operating for KLM Cargo? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Source: ch-aviation.com