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Air China Cargo to order six A350 freighters from Airbus

Manufacturer has secured 72 commitments so far for next-generation cargo jet

Eric Kulisch
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Air China Cargo will be the first mainland Chinese carrier to order the all-new Airbus A350 freighter.
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Key Takeaways:

  • Air China Cargo plans to purchase six Airbus A350 freighter aircraft, with options for an additional four, becoming the first mainland Chinese carrier to order this new model.
  • The deal, valued at $4.65 billion for 10 aircraft before discounts, has firm orders scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031.
  • This acquisition aims to optimize Air China Cargo's fleet structure and capacity, leveraging the A350F's advertised 20% greater fuel efficiency and advanced composite materials.
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Air China Cargo, the 12th largest cargo airline in the world by scheduled traffic, announced its intent to sign a purchase agreement with Airbus for six A350 freighter aircraft, which would make it the first mainland Chinese carrier to buy the all-new aircraft.

The freight subsidiary of flag carrier Air China also plans to accept options for an additional four aircraft, according to a securities filing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange this week. Deliveries of the firm orders are scheduled between 2029 and 2031

At a list price of $465 million per unit, the total value of the deal would be $4.65 billion for 10 aircraft. Air China Cargo said it had negotiated a significant discount.

”This transaction aligns with the company’s development plan and market demand, and will help optimize the company’s fleet structure and long-term capacity replenishment,” the company said in the stock exchange announcement. “It will create a large and medium-sized freighter capacity structure that meets market and customer needs, contributing to long-term stable operation.”

Air China Cargo currently has a fleet of 24 freighters consisting of eight A330-200Fs, three Boeing 747-400Fs and 13 Boeing 777Fs, according to aircraft database Planespotters. 

Airbus has secured 72 orders for the A350F, which is scheduled for first delivery in late 2027. The manufacturer has pushed back the start date several times, including in February because of production delays at a major component supplier. Cathay Cargo, the cargo division of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways, previously ordered six A350 freighters from Airbus.

The A350F, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and with 70% of the airframe made of advanced composite materials, is expected to be 20% more fuel efficient than the Boeing 777 and older Boeing 747-400 freighters, according to Airbus. The manufacturer said the lightweight materials will make the plane 50 tons lighter than the Boeing 777X freighter, which is also in late development. 

The aircraft is designed to carry up to 120 tons with a maximum range of 4,700 nautical miles. It will feature the industry’s largest main deck cargo door to ease loading of shipping containers and out-of-gauge cargo.

Click here for more FreightWaves/PostalMag stories by Eric Kulisch.

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Eric Kulisch

Eric is the Parcel and Air Cargo Editor at FreightWaves. An award-winning business journalist with extensive experience covering the logistics sector, Eric spent nearly two years as the Washington, D.C., correspondent for Automotive News, where he focused on regulatory and policy issues surrounding autonomous vehicles, mobility, fuel economy and safety. He has won two regional Gold Medals and a Silver Medal from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for government and trade coverage, and news analysis. He was voted best for feature writing and commentary in the Trade/Newsletter category by the D.C. Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He was runner up for News Journalist and Supply Chain Journalist of the Year in the Seahorse Freight Association's 2024 journalism award competition. In December 2022, Eric was voted runner up for Air Cargo Journalist. He won the group's Environmental Journalist of the Year award in 2014 and was the 2013 Supply Chain Journalist of the Year. As associate editor at American Shipper Magazine for more than a decade, he wrote about trade, freight transportation and supply chains. He has appeared on Marketplace, ABC News and National Public Radio to talk about logistics issues in the news. Eric is based in Vancouver, Washington. He can be reached for comments and tips at ekulisch@freightwaves.com Eric is the Parcel and Air Cargo Editor at FreightWaves. An award-winning business journalist with extensive experience covering the logistics sector, Eric spent nearly two years as the Washington, D.C., correspondent for Automotive News, where he focused on regulatory and policy issues surrounding autonomous vehicles, mobility, fuel economy and safety. He has won two regional Gold Medals and a Silver Medal from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for government and trade coverage, and news analysis. He was voted best for feature writing and commentary in the Trade/Newsletter category by the D.C. Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He was runner up for News Journalist and Supply Chain Journalist of the Year in the Seahorse Freight Association's 2024 journalism award competition. In December 2022, Eric was voted runner up for Air Cargo Journalist. He won the group's Environmental Journalist of the Year award in 2014 and was the 2013 Supply Chain Journalist of the Year. As associate editor at American Shipper Magazine for more than a decade, he wrote about trade, freight transportation and supply chains. He has appeared on Marketplace, ABC News and National Public Radio to talk about logistics issues in the news. Eric is based in Vancouver, Washington. He can be reached for comments and tips at ekulisch@freightwaves.com Eric is based in Vancouver, Washington. He can be reached for comments and tips at ekulisch@freightwaves.com