Air China Cargo. Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock.com Air China Cargo is significantly expanding its future long-haul freight fleet after signing a new agreement with Airbus for four additional A350F freighters, bringing the airline’s total commitment for the aircraft type to 10 jets.
The latest order follows Air China Cargo’s initial purchase of six A350F aircraft announced in November 2025 and highlights the growing importance of widebody cargo operations as global freight demand continues to recover and evolve.
Airbus. Photo: Sergey Kohl / Shutterstock.comAccording to the company, the additional aircraft will support long-term fleet modernization plans while increasing capacity on international cargo routes.
“This additional order, following our initial A350F order last year, is a crucial strategic decision for the company to further optimise our fleet structure and expand transport capacity,” said Wang Hongyan, Vice President of Air China Cargo.
“It will allow us to better match and meet the demands of the international air cargo market, laying a solid foundation for the company's long-term stable development,” he added.
Air China Cargo first introduced Airbus freighters into its operations at the end of 2023 and currently operates eight Airbus A330 200P2F converted freighters. The future addition of the A350F will strengthen the carrier’s ability to operate both medium and ultra-long-haul cargo services more efficiently.
Airbus described the order as another major endorsement of the new generation freighter program.
“We are very pleased with Air China Cargo's decision to increase its order for the A350F freighter,” said Benoît de Saint Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.
“It reflects Air China Cargo's full confidence in Airbus’ products and reaffirms the A350F's leading position as the next-generation freighter,” he said.
The A350F has been designed as Airbus’ newest dedicated cargo aircraft and is expected to compete directly in the fast growing long haul freight market. The aircraft can carry payloads of up to 111 tonnes and fly routes of up to 8,700 kilometers.
Airbus says the freighter is more fuel efficient than previous generation cargo aircraft thanks to lightweight materials and Rolls Royce Trent XWB 97 engines, offering up to 20% lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
The aircraft is also designed to meet ICAO’s 2027 CO₂ emissions standards and is capable of operating with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel at entry into service.
As of the end of April 2026, Airbus had secured 101 A350F orders from 14 customers worldwide.