Airbus A350F 1st fuselage sections reach Toulouse amid orderbook reshuffles
August 27, 2025
Airbus’s A350 freighter programme has passed a key build milestone with the first prototype fuselage sections arriving at the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse.
It comes amid high-profile changes to the aircraft’s order book, with some cancellations and order reductions pushing CMA CGM Air Cargo into the launch operator role.
Airbus A350F: Final assembly milestone in Toulouse
Airbus confirmed to the STAT Trade Times that the central fuselage (sections 15/21) for the first A350F test aircraft reached Toulouse on August 19.
It was followed by the forward fuselage (sections 11/14) on August 21. The large subassemblies were ferried from Saint-Nazaire Montoir aboard BelugaXL. Another fuselage section and components are due in the coming weeks as the FAL sequence starts.
The fuselage arrivals follow Airbus’s finalising the first A350F wingset at its Broughton facility in June. The wings were transported on the BelugaXL from Broughton to Bremen for final equipping before heading for Toulouse to be joined to the fuselage of the first test aircraft.
The company also completed the first A350F horizontal stabiliser in Spain in late July.
“The A350F will offer a clean-sheet, specifically designed solution for air freight transport, bringing more efficiency and versatility to the cargo market,” says Ricardo Rojas, President of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business in Spain.
“With more than 1,400 orders for the A350, including 66 A350Fs, Spain plays a key role in this programme that presents the future in air cargo transportation.”
Airbus plans to build two A350F test aircraft, with flight testing scheduled to begin in 2026.
Airbus A350F: “poised to shape the future of air freight”
The Airbus A350F is built on the Airbus A350-1000 platform and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB 97K engines. Airbus touts the A350F as “poised to shape the future of air freight, offering operators a more efficient and versatile solution for decades to come.”
The A350F’s operational features include:
- At least 20% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared to current in-service freighters
- The industry’s largest cargo door with a 4.3-meter wide opening – making loading easier, faster and safer for ground operations teams
- Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 30t lighter take-off weight compared to direct competitor aircraft.
- A range of up to 8,700 km with up to 111-ton payload.
Airbus offers alternative layouts for general freight and express international markets.
- The general cargo layout can accommodate 30 pallets measuring 96” x 125’’ on the main deck and 12 pallets on the lower deck.
- The express layout can accommodate 30x AM-base containers on the main deck and 40x LD3 containers on the lower deck.
- A new courier area can accommodate up to 11 seats (10 Premium Economy Y seats and 1 Cabin Attendant Seat), separated from the main deck by a rigid barrier wall.
The aircraft also offers an optimised, modern Cargo Loading System (CLS) and fine temperature control (4°C to 26°C) per compartment on both decks.
Spirit AeroSystems delays cause A350F entry into service to slip
The A350 programme has suffered through supply-chain headwinds, which led Airbus to announce a one-year delay in the freighter’s entry to service earlier this year.
The problems stem from the production of the fuselage section at Spirit AeroSystems’ plant in Wichita, Kansas. Spirit AeroSystems has been going through a significant restructuring since Boeing agreed to buy back its former subsidiary. The deal hinges on Airbus taking over some of Spirit’s operations.
As a result, Airbus has struggled to ramp up the rate of A350 production, with output limited to around six aircraft per month throughout 2025 and into 2026.
The A350F’s entry into service is now expected in the second half of 2027, a year later than first anticipated. This delay has led some customers to reduce or cancel their A350F orders.
Airbus A350F orderbook shifts: who’s out, who’s down, and who’s first
Air Lease Corporation (ALC), initially the programme’s launch customer with seven aircraft, has cancelled its A350F order.
As reported by Flight Global, the lessor cited cargo market uncertainty and programme timing as factors in its decision. Airbus’s monthly order and delivery report in July already reflected the removal.
Air France–KLM has reduced its A350F commitment from eight to six aircraft, with Air France Cargo and Martinair to receive three aircraft each, instead of the four initially planned. The company adjusted its fleet plans due to the delay in entering service.
With ALC stepping away, CMA CGM Air Cargo will be the launch operator of the A350F. The French logistics group has ordered eight aircraft.
New Airbus A350F orders offset losses
The new orders for A350Fs that Airbus logged this year partially offset these lost orders and reductions. In January, STARLUX Cargo doubled its initial order, adding five more A350 freighters.
“The cargo market is set to become a key element in our business model and will benefit from the advantages offered by Taiwan’s geographical location,” said STARLUX CEO Glenn Chai.
“The A350F is the perfect choice for STARLUX, offering a similar payload-range capability as previous generation freighters, but with very significant reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions.”
At the Paris Air Show, Saudi lessor AviLease placed a firm order for 10 A350Fs (with options bringing the total to as many as 22).
MNG Airlines signed an MoU for two. The manufacturer also lists an order for three Airbus A350Fs to an undisclosed customer in its July orders and delivery report.
As of July, Airbus cited 65 A350F orders on the books. However, the order book shows four aircraft for Air France and three for Martinair. Airbus could adjust the figure down to 64 orders for August, based on the Air France announcement.
Other operators awaiting the new freighter include:
- Cathay Pacific: Ordered 6 Airbus A350Fs
- Etihad Airways: Ordered 7
- Singapore Airlines: Ordered 7
- Turkish Airlines: Ordered 5
Competing to build the next-generation freighter
The A350F is Airbus’ answer to fleet renewal in the top end of the cargo market, as 747-400Fs age out and airlines and integrators strive for lower fuel burn and emissions. Boeing is also competing for this market with its 777-8 freighter variant.
As of June, Boeing reported 59 firm 777-8F orders from customers, including launch customer Qatar Airways (34), Cargolux (10), Lufthansa (7), ANA (2), Silk Way West (2) and China Airlines (4).
The Boeing 777X family is still pending FAA certification, and the first delivery is currently targeted for 2028.
