Quantcast

Airbus A318 continues limited UK service with Air France amid economic challenges

Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Proposals for commercial planes to operate with one pilot shelved after critical EU report
Air Travel Fatalities Up 300% in 2024, According to Shocking Global Report
Boeing Halts Strike Talks Amid $36 Billion Deal & Union Dispute
FAA’s Broader Runway Safety Push Builds on EMAS Legacy
Ryanair CEO says aviation sustainability targets are 'dying a death'
US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Boeing Stock Jumps on Massive Korean Air Order
FAA EMAS: Proven Safety Wins Since 1996
Air Canada flight attendants try to build on US gains on unpaid work
Cathay Pacific warns of declining fares and cargo uncertainty, shares fall
Clear intentions, cloudy path: aviation's ongoing ESG challenge
Turkish Airlines is preparing binding offer for Spain's Air Europa, executive says
Air Canada flight attendants approve strike mandate
US criticizes use of AI to personalize airline ticket prices, would investigate
Ethiopian Airlines' annual revenue rises as it draws more passengers, adds routes
Major strike action to hit 12 Spanish airports that have Ryanair flights
JetBlue, United partnership gets go-ahead from U.S. Transportation Department
United-JetBlue partnership gets US DOT approval
Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Heathrow Chief Defends £50–60 billion Third Runway Amid Rising Costs Debate
New UK airline with cheap US fares is ‘parked’ after just TWO flights – with people fearing it’s been scrapped for good
US carriers shamed in surprising new list of the world’s ‘cleanest’ airlines
Air Force Pilot Wasn't Alerted to Collision Course with Passenger Jet Before Scary Near Miss, Says Official
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
Plane Makes Emergency Landing After ‘Unruly’ Passenger Attempts to Open Exit Door Mid-Flight
American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
Summer flight delays to be 'worst ever' this year - what to do if affected
Airbus A318 continues limited UK service with Air France amid economic challenges
Policy
Webp airbusa318
Airbus A318 | Official Website

The Airbus A318, known for its limited popularity due to economic inefficiencies compared to larger aircraft, will continue operations with Air France this summer. The French airline is the only major carrier still using the A318 for scheduled passenger flights after TAROM retired the model in November 2024.

In July and August, Air France plans to operate just two routes from the UK: Nice to London Heathrow and Paris CDG to Heathrow. According to Cirium Diio data, most of these services will be on the Nice-Heathrow route, which has been part of Air France's network since 2022. The A318 will make its return on July 14 after a brief hiatus since June 28.

On the Paris CDG-Heathrow route, only one out of 370 flights is scheduled with an A318. Most services on this route use the more modern A220-300 aircraft. Notably, flight AF1680 is set to arrive at Heathrow at 08:00 on Sunday, July 20.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Air France currently operates six A318s, averaging nearly 19 years old. Despite being fully paid off as they are mostly owned by Air France, these aircraft face higher fuel consumption and maintenance costs compared to newer models like the Airbus A220-300. The latter offers a more competitive seat-mile cost due to its larger size and lower fuel consumption.

The Airbus A318's unpopularity stems from its high operating costs relative to capacity. Its maximum takeoff weight is similar to that of an Airbus A220-300 but offers fewer seats in Air France's configuration. This results in less attractive seat-mile costs compared to alternatives such as the Boeing 737 series or other Airbus models like the A319 and A320.

Despite these challenges, the A318 has found niche roles requiring short runway capabilities or steep approach certifications, such as operations at Rio de Janeiro’s Santos Dumont airport or London City Airport.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025