TOULOUSE, FRANCE – Airbus is developing a freighter version of the A350 passenger aircraft, sources said to Cargo Facts. The aircraft manufacturer is offering the A350 freighter aircraft to cargo operators. Once a charter order is secured, the new production freighter program will be launched.

The market for new freighter aircraft is currently dominated by Boeing, with the B767, B777 and B747. Airbus only offers the A330-200F, but with only 41 orders in 13 years – of which 38 have been delivered – it’s not really a commercial success.

Many cargo aircraft flying today are simply too old and are being retired in the coming years, particularly the MD11F and older variants of the B747. This is the reason why Airbus is seeing opportunities in this market.

It’s not clear whether the Airbus A350F will be a freighter variant of the A350-900 or the A350-1000. The A350-1000 is most likely to be used for the freighter program, due to its capacity.

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(Head photo: Steve Lynes)