Airbus A350 Freighter Entry-Into-Service Delayed to 2026

Airbus has shifted the entry into service date for the A350 freighter into 2026.

The airframer, which has disclosed first-quarter results, said the industrial planning for the freighter is being “slightly adjusted” as its initial milestones are reached.

Chief executive Guillaume Faury, speaking during the results briefing, said the slip was a matter of a “few months” from the previous end-2025 time frame.

He insisted it does not amount to a “re-baselining” of the schedule, and stated that the shift relates to overall programme execution. Airbus recently produced the first components for the freighter at its Airbus Atlantic plant in Nantes.

“We’re not specifically putting it on the shoulders of one or other supplier,” he stressed

Previous A350F aircraft orders include: four from CMA-CGM; seven from Air Lease Corporation; seven from Singapore Airlines; four from Air France; two from Silk Way West Airlines; seven from Etihad Airways; and four from Martinair.

France-based Airbus Atlantic has recently produced the first parts for the A350F.

In March, four Airbus A350 freighters were ordered by an undisclosed customer.