Unnammed customer signs up for seven A350 freighters

An unnamed customer has placed an order for seven of Airbus’ recently announced A350 freighter aircraft.

The manufacturer’s latest update revealed that by the end of June, airlines had placed a total of 31 orders for the aircraft since the programme’s launch, up from 22 in May.

Two of these extra nine freighters are accounted for by an order announced by Azerbaijan-based cargo airline Silk Way West Airlines towards the end of the month.

However, the other seven are from an unnamed customer.

Aviation title FlightGlobal speculates the extra seven aircraft could be accounted for by Etihad Airways, which in February signed a letter of intent (LOI) for seven of the model.

The publication suggests that the carrier could now have firmed up the LOI.

At the time the LOI was signed, Etihad Aviation Group group chief executive Tony Douglas said: “As our cargo operations continue to overperform and we work towards a more sustainable future built upon the world’s youngest and most fuel-efficient fleet, the addition of the A350F will play a key role in driving our long-term cargo strategy and achieving our 2035 target to reduce CO ₂ emissions by 50%.”

The aircraft has a 109 tonne payload capability and features a large main deck cargo door, with its fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers.

Others to have placed firm orders for the freighter include Singapore Airlines (7), Air France (4), CMA CGM (4) and Air Lease (7).

Damian Brett www.aircargonews.net