Air China Cargo Orders 4 Additional Airbus A350 Freighters

Air China Cargo has exercised options for four additional Airbus A350 freighter aircraft, bringing its total firm orders for the type to an undisclosed number. The move strengthens Airbus's lead in the next-generation freighter market, with the European planemaker now holding nearly twice as many orders for large cargo jets as Boeing.

The Product

The A350F is the freighter variant of the A350 family, capable of carrying up to 109 tons of payload with a range exceeding 4,600 nautical miles. It features a wide-body design and next-generation engines that offer up to 20% better fuel efficiency compared to older aircraft.

Pricing and Availability

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The list price for an A350F is approximately $350 million. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027, according to industry sources.

Competition

Airbus competes directly with Boeing's 777F and 777-8F freighters. Boeing has faced challenges in supply chain and development delays, resulting in only 26 firm orders for the 777-8F compared to Airbus's 50 orders for the A350F.

Potential Impact on the Company

This order reinforces Airbus's position in the growing air cargo market, driven by e-commerce demand for modern, fuel-efficient freighters. For Boeing (BA), the widening order gap may increase pressure to accelerate its programs and improve competitiveness.