Air China Cargo orders six A350F freighters in major fleet upgrade

November 14, 2025 in Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Air China Cargo has placed an order for six Airbus A350F aircraft, becoming the first operator in mainland China to commit to the next-generation freighter. The agreement, announced in Beijing on 14 November, marks a significant step in the airline’s plan to modernise its fleet and enhance long-term operational resilience.

Wang Hongyan, Vice President of Air China Cargo, said the addition of the A350F will streamline the airline’s mixed-fleet operations while strengthening efficiency and reliability. “The introduction of the A350F to our existing mixed cargo fleet contributes to efficiency in operation and maintenance. The A350F will enhance Air China Cargo’s capability to withstand risks in its long-term stable operation,” he said.

Airbus welcomed the order as further validation of the A350F’s growing market traction. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales for Commercial Aircraft, described the aircraft as a step-change for global airfreight operators seeking higher performance and reduced emissions. “The A350F will bring new generation efficiency and performance as well as new levels of capacity and unprecedented loading flexibility. We look forward to ensuring a seamless integration into Air China Cargo’s operation,” he said.

Headquartered in Beijing, Air China Cargo is the country’s only national-flag all-cargo airline. Since June 2025, it has consolidated operations across North, East, South and Southwest China, while expanding its international footprint. The carrier now operates 25 dedicated cargo routes connecting Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, supported by more than 1,500 global ground-trucking links.

The A350F is engineered as a new-generation freighter designed to meet the demands of modern cargo markets spanning express, general freight, and specialised consignments. It will carry up to 111 tonnes of payload and fly as far as 8,700 km, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. Airbus projects up to a 40% reduction in fuel burn and CO₂ emissions compared with older freighters, a key consideration as operators face tightening environmental regulations.

Constructed from more than 70% advanced materials, the A350F is around 46 tonnes lighter than its main competitors and features the industry’s largest main-deck cargo door. It is also the only freighter fully compliant with ICAO’s 2027 CO₂ emissions standards. By entry into service, it will be certified for 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) use, with a pathway to 100% SAF capability by 2030.

Airbus continues to build momentum for the model as test aircraft assembly progresses in Toulouse. By the end of October 2025, the A350 Family had secured 1,445 orders from 63 customers worldwide, including 74 orders for the A350F from 12 operators.

For Air China Cargo, the new aircraft represent a strategic investment in fleet renewal, as demand for global airfreight remains strong and competition intensifies. The A350F is expected to offer improved economics, greater loading flexibility and enhanced environmental performance—key benchmarks as the airline charts its next phase of growth.