Air France would not comment on a report in financial daily La Tribune that the carrier is about to become Boeing Co.'s launch customer for the 777 freighter by ordering seven of the new planes.

But a spokesman for the airline confirmed that the 777 freighter, which enters service in 2008, is the favoured option to replace its eight Boeing 747-200s.

"These planes are being taken out of service progressively and replaced with new planes," Jean-Claude Couturier said. "For freight, it's the 777 that we're interested in."

Air France --now part of Air France-KLM SA, the world's largest airline--is also looking to replace its four larger 747-400ERF freighters, and European aircraft maker Airbus will be keen to push its mammoth A380--whose cargo version also enters service in 2008.