Kalitta Air Could Order Eight Airbus A350F Freighters
US-based cargo airline Kalitta Air has emerged as a potential customer for eight Airbus A350F freighters booked by Airbus in August under an undisclosed customer. According to Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, the airline is evaluating the A350F as part of its long-term fleet planning. Kalitta Air confirmed that no final decision has been made and that there is no order to announce, while Airbus declined to reveal the customer’s identity.
If the deal materializes, the A350F would become the first Airbus aircraft in Kalitta Air’s fleet, which currently operates Boeing 747 and 777 freighters. The airline operates scheduled and charter cargo flights, including services for the US Department of Defense and the US Postal Service.
The first A350F prototype completed its maiden flight on September 29. The eight-aircraft order recorded in August increased the type’s total order backlog from 107 to 115 aircraft, putting the Airbus A350F ahead of the Boeing 777-8F, which has secured 81 orders.
In September 2025, Kalitta Air took delivery of its first two Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft ordered through AerCap, becoming the launch operator of the passenger-to-freighter conversion developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The airline has a total of seven 777-300ERSF aircraft on order and plans to gradually replace part of its Boeing 747 fleet with these freighters.
If the A350F order is confirmed, Airbus would secure another customer in the freighter market as it competes with Boeing.
