Chinese carrier places order for six A350Fs with options for four more aircraft, providing a boost to Airbus’ newest freighter programme
Air China Cargo has revealed plans to order as many as 10 Airbus A350 freighters as part of efforts to expand its fleet size.
The company said it planned to initially order six of the aircraft with an option for four more, with the latest date to exercise the option being the end of 2026.
The aircraft, which has a 111-ton capacity and a range of 8,700 km, will be delivered between 2029 and 2031.
Air China Cargo said the aircraft have a list price of $465m per freighter, bringing the total value of the aircraft to $4.65bn. It had, however, secured a discount after fair negotiations.
”This transaction aligns with the company’s development plan and market demand, and will help optimise the company’s fleet structure and long-term capacity replenishment,” the company said in a stock exchange announcement.
“It will create a large and medium-sized freighter capacity structure that meets market and customer needs, contributing to long-term stable operation.”
According to fleet tracking site Planespotters.net, Air China Cargo currently has a fleet of 24 freighters consisting of eight A330-200Fs, three Boeing 747-400Fs and 13 Boeing 777Fs.
The orders will be a boost to the Airbus A350F programme after Air France KLM Group and Air Lease reduced their orders due to delays.
The Air France KLM Group said that it planned to reduce its A350F order from eight units to six, following production delays and a fleet portfolio assessment.
Meanwhile, Air Lease confirmed in August that it had cancelled its entire order for seven A350Fs.
Airbus also gained some orders mid-year to help soften the blow of the cancellations.
In June, Saudi Arabian aircraft lessor AviLease placed an order for 10 at the Paris Air Show, with an agreement for a potential 12 additional aircraft.
In the same month, Turkey-based MNG Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for two aircraft.
In a recent interview with Air Cargo News, Airbus said it is on track to deliver its newbuild A350 production freighter in the second half of 2027.
