Airbus Starts Assembly of A350 Freighter

Airbus has reached a major milestone with the start of final assembly for the A350 Freighter at its Toulouse facility. The program’s progress follows the delivery of fuselage sections from Montoir-de-Bretagne, France, and the completion of wing production at Broughton in the United Kingdom. These components are now being integrated, marking the beginning of the aircraft’s build-up phase.

The A350 Freighter is Airbus’s answer to rising demand in the global cargo market, designed to compete directly with Boeing’s 777 Freighter and next-generation cargo aircraft. Built on the proven A350 platform, the freighter promises lower fuel burn, reduced emissions, and increased payload efficiency, making it a key part of Airbus’s strategy to expand its footprint in the air cargo sector.

The aircraft is developed from the A350-1000 widebody passenger jet, featuring a lightweight carbon-fiber fuselage and advanced Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350F delivers over 40% better fuel efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions compared to older freighters. With a payload capacity of around 111 tonnes and compliance with the 2027 ICAO CO₂ emission standards, it is positioned as one of the most efficient and environmentally sustainable freighters for long-haul cargo operations.

This assembly stage represents a critical step toward the aircraft’s flight testing and certification campaign. Airbus is now focused on ramping up production, ensuring program stability, and meeting the delivery schedules promised to launch customers.

The freighter has already secured strong market interest, with multiple airlines and leasing companies placing orders. Industry analysts view it as a timely addition to the global fleet as cargo demand remains elevated and operators look for more fuel-efficient aircraft to meet both economic and environmental goals.

With assembly underway, Airbus is positioning the A350 Freighter to become a major player in the widebody cargo segment, reinforcing its long-term strategy to diversify product offerings and capture growth in the freight market.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com