Air-France KLM Cancels Its Airbus A350F Orders

Air France-KLM has reduced orders for the Airbus A350 Freighter after a recent delay to the program was announced.

The Group confirmed that the number of aircraft it will order has reduced, with just six freighters to be taken on by the company instead of the previously ordered eight.

As for the split of these aircraft, the Group confirmed that three units will be destined for Air France’s cargo division and the other three will be flown by closely tied to KLM Martinair, who are looking to overhaul their freight fleet.

CH Aviation confirmed the report after speaking with an airline spokesperson. It reaffirmed that the order cancellation follows the news of the A350F program’s delayed entry into service.

Fleet renewal adjustments are far from uncommon. Airlines and freight operators alike are forced to plan years ahead, so much can change between their order date placement and eventual delivery date based on an airline’s position or economic conditions.

As a result, these companies will have means to adjust their orders either by reducing their commitment or extending it with options in the initial contract being activated to help meet demand.

Air France-KLM sees six units as a well-rounded number to split the commitment to the jet right down the middle with three units destined for different freight brands within the Group.

These A350Fs will also be important in replacing older-generation freight aircraft across the Group, with the 777-200F and the Boeing 747-400F being replaced. While these aircraft have remained workhorses, acquiring the A350F enables greater possibilities and efficiency.

Despite cancelling the A350F order, the Group has not reduced its commitment to Airbus aircraft. Instead, it selects two A350-900 passenger planes to effectively replace the two A350F units being removed from the backlog.

Airbus Delays The A350 Freighter

The cancellation of the A350F comes after the European planemaker confirmed that, following additional complications, it would not meet its 2026 delivery target for the portions.

As a result, Air France-KLM is adjusting its commitment to the program in response to this latest delay, showing the very real ramifications that persistent delays can have. This has become a common theme industry-wide, even at Boeing, which has been plagued by an inability to deliver its planes on time and certify them.

Airbus previously outlined 2026 as the expected first delivery of the A350F and even targeted a first flight sometime in the backend of 2025. However, this has now been deemed impossible.

As 2025 progresses, Airbus faces supply chain constraints and other challenges in moving ahead with the production and certification of this game-changing freighter, preventing previously outlined timelines from being met.

Despite the frustrations surrounding a delay, the A350F has already amassed over 50 orders. Furthermore, many more customers are currently weighing their options and whether the A350-1000F will be the desired choice.

Fresh delays to the A350F shouldn’t come as a shock. Unfortunately, certifying and producing aircraft has become more demanding than ever. The process is overlooked ten times more often, resulting in unforeseen complications.

Despite this, Airbus no doubt feels confident that it has a better launch timeframe than its competition, Boeing, and its 777-8F, which relies on the launch and certification of the 777-9 passenger jet.