Air France (AF, Paris CDG) is again considering deferring deliveries of new aircraft just six months after it and partner KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL, Amsterdam Schiphol) announced delays in the arrival of ten new B777-300(ER)s.

As part of its Perform 2020 strategic growth plan, Air France says it is reviewing its longterm investment plan and as such, is considering deferring deliveries of its A350-900 and B787-9 fleets.

The first of twelve B787-9s was tentatively scheduled to arrive from Boeing (BOE, Washington National) in November 2016 alongside its first of eighteen A350s. The French carrier says it is also looking at retiring a third A340-300 early because of the type's poor fuel economy.

Air France is also planning to axe a number of loss-making routes - among them Stavanger, Verona, Vigo (Spain), and Kuala Lumpur International - at the onset of the Winter 2015/16 season. Other non-performing routes to Japan, Brazil, and Russia will also see a reduction in frequency and capacity where necessary.

The airline also said it was launching legal action against the SNPL ADF Alpa pilots' union, citing a lack of progress in seven months of negotiations concerning the implementation of outstanding aspects of Perform 2020.