KLM Cityhopper går for E-jets

[CK]

KLM cityhopper to Start Fleet Renewal Program

in Cooperation with Régional

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, August 3, 2007 — KLM cityhopper (KLC) and the Air France regional subsidiary Régional Compagnie Aérienne Européenne (Régional) today confirmed an order with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer for 20 regional jets of the E170/175 and E190/195 family, as well as options for 18 other aircraft. KLM cityhopper’s share of this agreement includes 10 confirmed orders for E190 aircraft and 9 options.

From end 2008 till early 2010, KLC will phase out its 15 oldest Fokker 100 aircraft and replace them with 10 Embraer 190s and 5 Fokker 70s from Régional. The KLC configuration of the Embraer 190 will have 100 seats.

This announcement marks the launch of an extensive program to expand and renew the KLM cityhopper fleet to meet anticipated capacity growth in the years ahead.

The collective acquisition from Embraer by these regional subsidiaries of the AIR FRANCE KLM Group offers synergy benefits in terms of the purchasing of aircraft, engines, and components, and presents future advantages in terms of handling, maintenance, and training. Further synergies have been found by adding Régional’s five Fokker 70’s to KLC’s large fleet of Fokker 70s.

Commenting on the investment, Michel Coumans, Managing Director of KLM cityhopper, said: “We are very pleased with the purchase of the 10 new Embraer aircraft and the adoption of the 5 Fokker 70s from Régional. This fleet rejuvenation program is an investment in the quality of te product and service for our customers and in the future of KLM’s regional operations.

Furthermore, this investment is a means of decreasing unit costs and reducing impact on the environment and climate.

The fact that we have coordinated our program with Régional also shows how we can gain synergy benefits through joint fleet planning within the AIR FRANCE KLM Group.”

KLM cityhopper is a wholly-owned KLM subsidiary. With a fleet of 55 aircraft, KLC operates around 270 intra-European flights a day to 45 destinations. KLC has a workforce of 1,500.

For more information:

KLM Media Relations, Bart Koster + 31 20 649 45 45.

KLM photo material: http://www.presslink.nl/klm/

[LTH]

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