Air China Cargo has ordered four additional Airbus A350F freighters, increasing the Chinese cargo carrier’s total order for the type to ten aircraft. The new agreement follows an earlier order for six A350F aircraft, signed by Air China Cargo in November 2025.
The additional order confirms the continued modernisation and expansion of Air China Cargo’s freighter fleet, particularly on international long-haul and medium-to-long-haul routes. The company began introducing Airbus freighters into its fleet at the end of 2023 and currently operates eight Airbus A330-200P2F aircraft, passenger aircraft converted into freighter configuration.
With the arrival of the A350F, Air China Cargo will add a new-generation, purpose-built freighter to its fleet, complementing the existing A330-200P2F aircraft. According to Airbus, the combination of the two types should allow the carrier to use its fleet more efficiently across routes of different ranges and capacity requirements, with a stronger focus on intercontinental cargo operations.
The Airbus A350F is designed as the freighter version of the widebody A350 family. The aircraft can carry up to 111 tonnes of payload over a range of up to 8,700 kilometres, making it suitable for operators seeking an efficient aircraft for global cargo routes. Airbus says that more than 70 percent of the aircraft’s structure is made from advanced materials, making the A350F 46 tonnes lighter than competing aircraft in a comparable category.
The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. According to Airbus, the A350F is expected to deliver up to 20 percent lower fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared with previous-generation freighters with similar payload and range capability. Airbus also says the A350F is the only freighter fully compliant with ICAO’s 2027 CO₂ emissions standards.
At entry into service, the A350F will be able to operate with up to 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel, SAF, while Airbus aims to make its entire aircraft family compatible with up to 100 percent SAF by 2030.
Wang Hongyan, Vice President of Air China Cargo, said the additional order is an important strategic decision aimed at optimising the company’s fleet structure and increasing transport capacity. Airbus Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, said Air China Cargo’s decision confirms its confidence in Airbus products and the position of the A350F as a next-generation freighter.
According to Airbus, the A350F had recorded 101 orders from 14 customers by the end of April 2026.
