Airbus Delays A350 Freighter Launch

Airbus is reportedly delaying the launch of its game-changing and upcoming A350 Freighter model.

Exclusive reporting from Reuters states that two industry sources are familiar with the matter but wish to remain unnamed.

If a delay were to be confirmed in the coming days, it would affect the European planemaker’s position in the freighter market.

Initial forecasting saw the jet entering service in the coming years, with a first flight in 2025 and an entry into service in early 2026.

That will not likely be met as the manufacturer copes with supply chain constraints rampaging through the industry, which still affects Airbus and its A350 program.

Supply chain constraints have hurt Airbus’ attempts to meet production requirements and led to delivery delays across its commercial aeroplane division.

Therefore, a prospective A350F delay shouldn’t be a shock considering the current operating environment, which is mainly unfavourable.

While Airbus has yet to announce the delays to the A350F program, a year could be added to the launch timeframe, bringing an EIS closer to 2027.

Thus far, the new aircraft has successfully secured orders from high-profile companies such as Etihad Cargo, Air France-KLM, and Singapore Airlines Cargo.

The jet is being directly positioned as part of the new era of freighter flying and will compete with Boeing’s upcoming 777-8F plane, which is also experiencing some struggles and delays driven by the American planemaker’s internal woes.

Airbus Launches The A350F

The A350F was launched in July 2021, and it is poised to be Airbus’ first genuine push into the dedicated freighter market, which Boeing has primarily occupied.

The American planemaker has a firm grip on this market, offering freighter operators significant choices, from smaller freighters to quad-engined jets.

While Airbus has, throughout the years, offered freighter models and conversions, its market share in this sector has ultimately always fallen behind Boeing.

Building upon the success of the passenger model A35-, the planemaker wanted to use this as a fundamental base for its new-gen dedicated freighter, which it has done.

Thus far, the A350F has accumulated orders and interest from high-profile customers and is expected to enter service still sooner than the 777-8F, which is filled with unknowns given the 777-9s passenger aircraft struggles.

Even with the delay to the A350F, Airbus would feel relatively confident that it’s still well poised to get the jump on Boeing, given that its freighter is heavily modified but, at its core, based on a plane that has been in service.