Airbus A350F Set For Bright Future In Asia
By Geoffrey Thomas Tue Feb 20, 2024
Airbus is forecasting demand for 400 freighters over the next 20 years as the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region continues to demonstrate robust economic growth and dynamic trade activities.
Airbus says this represents more than 25% of global demand for 1,490 widebody freight aircraft in the above 40-tonne segment.
Speaking at the Singapore Air Show, Crawford Hamilton, Airbus Head of Freighter Marketing said that the company is well placed to meet a strong share of this demand with the all-new A350F.
“As the world’s only all-new freighter, the A350F will be a step change in efficiency in competitive cargo markets,” he said. “It will bring a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% compared with the previous generation 747F and is the first freighter offered today that will meet ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards in 2027.”
The A350F can fly up to 4,700 nautical miles / 8,700 kilometres at a significantly lower cost than any other freighter available today Airbus claims.
The A350F can carry a payload of up to 111 tonnes and features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry. Airbus said that with its main deck cargo door 15% wider compared to the competition, the A350F also allows for all new large engine transportation. It adds that over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46 tonne lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative.
"With APAC set to become the largest region for international trade over the next two decades, the A350F, with its step change in efficiency, market-matched capacity, and range, it is perfectly tailored to improve the operations of the carriers, by meeting diverse cargo demands while leading the charge towards a more sustainable future in air freight," says Hamilton.
Airbus said that the aircraft is set to enter service in 2026, and assembly of the first A350F fuselage sections is set to commence in the coming months, in line with the aircraft's production time frame.
At the end of January, the A350 Family had secured over 1,200 orders from 57 customers worldwide, including 50 for the A350F from nine leading cargo airlines.
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