The end is nigh for the final four Airbus A318s in the Air France fleet. It a statement to Airliner World the airline confirmed “that our last A318 will leave our fleet in Q1 2027.”
The airline received its maiden example on October 9 2003, the first in a roster that eventually reached 18 aircraft – the biggest global fleet.
The type has been typically used on short-haul European routes such as Paris to Amsterdam, Berlin, Marseille, Milan, Nice, Rome and Vienna. Only 80 examples of the ‘Babybus’ were built and after the Paris-based carrier retires the fab four, the only A318s still flying will be in private hands.
The fleet has gradually been retired since the first withdrawal on August 29, 2021, less than a month before the first example of its successor, the A220-300, arrived.
Air France placed an order for 60 A220-300s in 2019 and 58 of them have been delivered. According to Aeroroutes.com the A318 will remain in service until March 27, 2027
