Press release
Air France-KLM Group partner of TU Delft-France Initiative
Paris, Amstelveen, 18 October 2023
During the annual MRO Europe aircraft maintenance exhibition at the RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre in Amsterdam, Air France-KLM, Air France and KLM jointly awarded a donation of €150,000 a year for a three-year period to the TU-Delft France Initiative. The initiative was announced in April 2023 during French President Emmanuel Macron’s Dutch state visit. It will contribute to the development of innovative solutions to make aviation more sustainable.
The donation will be managed by the University Fund of the Delft University of Technology to fund ambitious, joint research projects between France and the Netherlands. François Alabrune, Ambassador of France to the Netherlands, Air France-KLM, Air France and KLM jointly signed the agreement at the trade fair. This sealed the partnership between the embassy and the Dutch university and Air France-KLM Engineering & Maintenance.
“We’re excited and honoured to be participating in the TU Delft-France Initiative, which focuses on aircraft engineering. With our commitment to this ambitious research and development programme over the next three years, we’re preparing the future of aviation. This promising partnership that unifies the Air France-KLM Group, the French Embassy in the Netherlands and TU Delft is of key importance. It symbolises our commitment to innovation and progress, which forms an integral part of our DNA. We’re looking forward to working with our French and Dutch partners to explore new technologies in the airline industry and contribute to the success of this initiative.”
Anne Brachet
Executive Vice President Air France-KLM Engineering & Maintenance.
“I am proud to see that the TU DELFT – FRANCE Initiative is giving us the opportunity to extend our longstanding relation with the TU Delft. Groupe ISAE and TU Delft are two leading aerospace institutes working together with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. This is an important step towards decarbonizing aviation.”
Ton Dortmans
Executive Vice President KLM Engineering & Maintenance
“I’m very pleased with the Air France-KLM Group’s contribution, which is important for our countries. The TU Delft-France Initiative is a unique cooperative model between academic institutions, research centres and companies, focusing on coming up with innovative solutions directed at making the industry more sustainable. I encourage other players in the industry to follow this example”
François Alabrune
France’s Ambassador to the Netherlands.
“International cooperation with leading players in the European airline industry is essential for the breakthrough technologies needed for climate-neutral aviation by 2050. The TU Delft France Initiative provides an opportunity to expand our cooperation with excellent universities and companies in France. We greatly appreciate this contribution from Air France-KLM and look forward to further cooperation with this important partner.”
Henri Werij
Dean of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering of TU Delft.
About the TU Delft-France Initiative
Following the example of funds developed in partnership with US universities, the TU Delft-France Initiative focuses on developing a strong R&D dimension in key sectors within energy transition and digitalisation. These transitions are central to bilateral relations between France and the Netherlands and also contribute to the development of European technological sovereignty. The initiative supports ambitious research projects between TU Delft and leading French academic and research institutions, focusing on student and researcher mobility and exchange. The initiative by the Embassy of France in the Netherlands and TU Delft was officially announced during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit on 11 and 12 April, in the presence of Minister Sylvie Retailleau (Higher Education and Research) and Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf (Education, Culture and Science). The first phase (2023-2026) will be dedicated to aircraft engineering, focusing on three key areas of innovation specific to these sectors: green fuel (hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)), materials, propulsion and runway optimisation. A pilot project between the French ISAE-SUPAERO and TU Delft that launched this summer, aims to develop long-term interdisciplinary and joint work between the two institutes with co-funding of joint theses. A call for regular project applications in the field of sustainable aviation will follow soon.
About AFI KLM E&M
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance is a major multi-product MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) provider. With a workforce of over 12,800, AFI KLM E&M offers comprehensive technical support for airlines, ranging from engineering and line maintenance to engine overhaul, aero structure and fan thrust reverser support, as well as the management, repair and supply of aircraft components, structured around a powerful logistics network. AFI KLM E&M supports almost 3,000 aircraft operated by 200 major international and domestic airlines.
