KLM has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 after the aircraft arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol from Toulouse on Friday. The widebody, registered PH-ZNA and named De Nachtwacht, will enter passenger service in a few weeks on the Amsterdam-Toronto route.
The arrival is part of KLM’s intercontinental fleet renewal programme, with the airline positioning the A350 as a quieter, cleaner and more fuel-efficient addition to its long-haul operation. KLM also plans to deploy the type later on services to Montreal, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi and Zanzibar.
The aircraft’s first commercial flight is expected in late October, although KLM has not given a specific date in the material available. The new service comes as European network carriers continue to refresh widebody fleets with newer-generation aircraft aimed at reducing fuel burn and improving operating efficiency on long-haul routes.