Air France has announced that the board of directors approved this expenditure, but the order is "Still subject to final negotiations with the manufacturers"; the contract includes another 60 potential units. As for the engines, Rolls-Royce will provide Trent Xwb for the A-350, while it will be decided later on for Boeing.
The delivery of the new wide-body will begin in 2016, the first aircraft that will go to KLM. "Following approval, we will sign memorandum of understanding with Airbus, Boeing and Rolls-Royce and final contracts should be drafted by the end of 2011", Air France specified.
The expenditure was planned by the group to renew the fleet and make aircraft more efficient with respect to the fuel-consumption.