Taiwan’s STARLUX Airlines has solidified its commitment to Airbus by placing a firm order for five additional A350F freighters. This new agreement doubles the airline’s initial order of five A350Fs from the previous year, marking a significant expansion of STARLUX Cargo’s capacity to operate on some of the world’s busiest freight routes.
STARLUX CEO Glenn Chai emphasized the strategic importance of this decision, highlighting Taiwan’s geographic advantage in the cargo market. “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,” he said. “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.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft, praised STARLUX’s confidence in Airbus products. “The A350F will fit seamlessly into the carrier’s latest generation all-Airbus fleet, which offers unrivalled levels of technical and operational commonality. This second order from this fast-growing airline is another endorsement of the all-new A350F as the future game-changer in heavy lift markets,” he noted.
The A350F, currently under development, is set to redefine efficiency and sustainability in the cargo market. Capable of carrying up to 111 tonnes of payload and flying up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 kilometers), it leverages advanced technology to deliver a 40% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared to earlier-generation freighters with similar payload capabilities. The A350F is engineered with state-of-the-art features to maximize operational efficiency. Its main deck cargo door is the largest in the industry, while its fuselage length and capacity are optimized for standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the aircraft’s structure is made from advanced materials, reducing its take-off weight by 46 tonnes compared to competitors. Moreover, the A350F is the only freighter aircraft designed to fully comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, set to take effect in 2027.
STARLUX Airlines currently operates a fleet of 26 Airbus aircraft, including the A321neo, the A330neo, and the A350-900. The addition of the A350F freighters underscores the airline’s commitment to an all-Airbus fleet and reflects its growing ambitions in the cargo sector.
As of November 2024, the Airbus A350 Family, including the A350F, had secured 1,345 orders from 61 customers worldwide. Of these, 55 A350Fs were ordered by 10 leading cargo carriers, cementing its reputation as a transformative player in the heavy lift market.
