Delays Expected in Airbus A350F Deliveries
The delivery schedule for the A350F, Airbus’s next-generation freighter, has been pushed back. Cathay Pacific has announced that it expects a delay of roughly six months in its first A350F deliveries. This means the total slip against the company’s original plan could approach a full year.
Cathay Cargo has a total of 8 A350Fs on order with Airbus. The company placed an order for 6 aircraft in 2023, then added 2 more in May 2026, bringing its total order to 8.
Airbus is maintaining its target of certification and first delivery for the A350F by the end of 2027, while the prototype’s maiden flight is expected later in 2026. The delay in the programme affects not only Cathay Pacific but also other operators planning to renew their widebody freighter fleets.
Air France-KLM had previously reduced its A350F order from 8 aircraft to 6. Because of the uncertainty surrounding deliveries of next-generation freighters, some cargo airlines are being forced to keep existing aircraft such as the Boeing 747-400F in their fleets for longer.
The A350F’s direct competitor, the Boeing 777-8F, is also experiencing delays. The 777-8F timeline depends on the certification process for the 777-9, the first model in the 777X family. On the Cargolux side, 2029 is reportedly seen as a more realistic delivery window.
