Following a previous commitment announced in December 2021, the Franco-Dutch airline holding company, Air France-KLM has finalised its deal with Airbus for four new generation A350F freighters.
Based on the latest long range aircraft from Airbus, the A350F will feature a large main deck cargo door and a fuselage length optimised for cargo operations. The new freighters will increase Air France’s cargo capacity.
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, said, “We are gratified by the wave of early adopters who, like Air France, see the economics and environmental signature of the A350s as standing out versus alternatives, past, existing and future. Merci Air France.”
Over 70% of the A350F's airframe is built using advanced materials, resulting in a 30 tonnes lighter take-off weight.
When combined with efficient Rolls-Royce engines, it results in a fuel burn and CO2 advantage of at least 20% over its closest competitor.
The A350F serves all cargo markets, including express, general cargo, and special cargo, and is the only new generation freighter aircraft ready for the enhanced ICAO CO2 emissions standards in the large freighter category, with a 109 tonnes payload capability (+3t payload / 11% more volume than its competition).
Launched in 2021, the A350F has 29 orders and commitments from five customers including Air Leasing Corporation, CMA CGM, Singapore Airlines along with recently added Air France-KLM.
Singapore Airlines is aiming to replace its ageing Boeing 747-400F aircraft with the Airbus A350F and has said that it would like to complete this by the fourth quarter of 2025.