Airbus has set a tentative date for the maiden flight of its delayed A350F freighter in the third week of September, with a possible shift to early October, while maintaining a forecast for completion before year-end.
The European aircraft manufacturer is targeting the first delivery of the lightweight composite freighter to customers before the end of 2027, with the initial aircraft expected in the second half of that year. The A350F program, launched in 2021, was originally planned to enter service four years after its announcement.
Airbus has secured 107 orders for the A350F, positioning it as a competitor in the cargo aircraft market where U.S. rival Boeing has long held dominance. The planemaker also markets the smaller A330F, which has accumulated 38 orders to date.
The A350F is designed to offer improved fuel efficiency and payload capacity compared with older freighter models, aiming to capture a share of the growing cargo transport sector amid rising demand for air freight.
