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A KLM Cityhopper E195-E2 landing at Schiphol Airport.
KLM Cityhopper is ultimately planning to harmonize its 59-aircraft fleet to only Embraer E195-E2s, progressively reducing the number of aircraft wet-leased from German Airways and Air France subsidiary HOP!
As things stand, KLM Cityhopper’s fleet comprises 17 E175-E1s (88 seats), 17 E190-E1s (100 seats) and 25 E195-E2s (136 seats).
“Ideally, KLM Cityhopper would operate a single aircraft type,” a KLM spokesperson told ATW ahead of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) general assembly in Belfast.
“We are currently assessing the right timing to further harmonize the fleet. Our intention is to gradually phase out the Embraer E175 and E190 fleets and ultimately operate exclusively with the Embraer E195-E2 … we currently have 25 of these aircraft and have previously indicated that this number could grow to 50. It is not yet clear when this will be achieved.”
The spokesperson said Air France-KLM is working on a new aircraft order to replace the older E190 fleet. Transitioning to exclusively E195-E2s would simplify pilot and technician training, reduce spare parts inventories and improve efficiency in operations and ground handling.
“If an aircraft becomes unavailable, reassigning a flight to an identical replacement aircraft takes literally three seconds, as only the aircraft registration needs to be changed. This makes the entire operation more robust,” the spokesperson said.
KLM Cityhopper also plans to further reduce wet leases from German Airways and HOP! over the coming years. “This will no longer be necessary once KLM Cityhopper has sufficient in-house capacity in terms of both pilots and aircraft,” the spokesperson said.
Cityhopper has two “fleet lines” at HOP! and four at German Airways through to the end of October. “This will be phased out gradually over the coming years. There is no fixed time schedule,” the spokesperson said.
At the parent company level, KLM is investing €7 billion ($8 billion) in its fleet renewal, including Airbus A321neos, A350s, A350Fs and Boeing 787s. “The delivery timeline for the Airbus A350F has not yet been confirmed,” the spokesperson said. “We expect to take delivery of our first Airbus A350 in the coming weeks, followed by a second aircraft later this year and a third in the first quarter of next year.”
KLM is scheduled to receive a total of 22 A350s over the next few years, and the Dutch carrier’s main priority for the next 12–24 months is to strengthen financial resilience.
“Structural cost reductions, higher productivity and improved margins are prerequisites for KLM to continue investing,” the spokesperson said. “We are not yet where we need to be. A stronger first-half performance does not mean that the underlying structural challenges have been resolved: Our profit margin remains too low. Continued productivity improvements, cost control and investment discipline are therefore essential.”
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