Air China Cargo plans to order up to ten Airbus A350F aircraft to enhance its fleet and help the company meet market demand. The freighter is expected to enter service by the end of 2027, with deliveries to 
Air China Cargo expected between 2029 and 2031.
This will be good news for Airbus, as it adds to the manufacturer’s order book after some potential A350F customers canceled their orders. Air China Cargo will be the sixth Asian operator to order the A350F. Airbus is currently assembling the first aircraft in Toulouse.
Expanding Cargo With New Freighters
The Chinese carrier detailed its plans in a stock exchange filing on October 28. The proposed transaction includes six firm orders and an option for an additional four aircraft. According to Air Cargo News, the latest date to exercise the options will be at the end of 2026. With a payload of up to 111 tonnes, the new widebody freighter will allow Air China Cargo to increase its cargo capacity and market share.
At list price, each A350F is valued at $465 million, so the total transaction will be $4.65 billion if all orders are fulfilled. However, airlines typically secure discounts on aircraft purchases, so the actual price will be significantly lower. The company’s board of directors find the terms of the transaction to be fair and reasonable. However, the deal will await approval from the company’s shareholders, with a meeting set for November 14. Air China Cargo said:
“This transaction aligns with the company’s development plan and market demand, and will help optimize the company’s fleet structure and long-term capacity replenishment. It will create a large and medium-sized freighter capacity structure that meets market and customer needs, contributing to long-term stable operation.”
More Orders For The A350F
As of September 30, 2025, Airbus has picked up 65 orders for the A350F. Saudi Arabia’s AviLease and Taiwan’s Starlux have made the largest orders with up to 10 each. Other customers include Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines with seven each, Turkish Airlines with five, Silk Way West Airlines with two, and Cathay Pacific with six. France’s CMA CGM, which has an order for eight A350Fs, will be the type’s launch customer.
Airbus will be pleased to grow its order book after the Air China Cargo order, particularly after a few customers canceled orders. In August, the Air France-KLM Group disclosed plans to reduce its A350F order from eight to six aircraft amid the freighter’s delayed entry into service. The group had ordered four aircraft for Air France Cargo and four for its Dutch cargo subsidiary Martinair, but one order will be removed from each entity.
A month earlier, Air Lease Corporation (ALC), which would be the launch customer, dropped an order for seven A350Fs. Air China Cargo already has experience with Airbus freighters. According to ch-aviation, the Beijing-based carrier’s fleet comprises six A330-200P2Fs, as well as 13 Boeing 777-200Fs and three 747-400s.
The Airbus A350F Is Taking Shape
The A350F program was launched in 2021, with the aircraft expected to enter service in 2026. However, in February 2025, the European manufacturer announced that entry into service would be delayed until the second half of 2027 due to supply chain issues. Airbus is currently building the first flight-test aircraft, with various parts arriving at the Final Assembly Line in Toulouse.
Given Airbus’ multinational strategy, various parts of the aircraft are delivered from several cities in Europe. The wings are produced in Broughton (UK), the rear section and stabilizer in Getafe (Spain), the center section in Nordenham (Germany), and engine pylons in Toulouse (France).
Based on the Airbus A350-1000, the A350F is the next-generation cargo aircraft. It is set to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than current freighters on the market. Airbus markets it as having up to 20% lower CO2 emissions, 29 tonnes lighter Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW), and a smaller noise footprint. The aircraft will have a range of up to 4,700 NM (8,700 km).
