Airbus bullish on lasting cargo prospects with launch of new freighter
Airbus has officially launched a freighter version of its A350 twin-engine aircraft, a sign that the airframer believes cargo demand will continue to grow and an acknowledgement that it is playing catch-up in this lucrative market with archrival Boeing. Lessor Air Lease Corp. (ALC) is one of the new freighter’s first customers, announcing an order for seven A350Fs at the Dubai Airshow. That order is part of the leasing giant’s 111-aircraft order Airbus order, which includes aircraft up and down Airbus’ product line. “We had the vision to be first adopters of the A321 and are convinced we have made the right choice again on the A220 and A350F, responding to what we see the market will need in the period of recovery ahead,” ALC Executive Chairman Steven Udvar-Hazy said. Airbus admitted in its Q2 earnings call that Boeing dominated the air freighter sector. The airframer has a lineup that includes the 747-8F, 767F, and the 777F, while Airbus’ offerings were much more limited. At the time, Udvar-Hazy recommended that Boeing double down on the sector and capitalize on its advantage against Airbus. “Boeing needs to focus on that,” he said at the time. Airbus in July announced the initial research and development on the A350F had begun, but with the announcement this week in Dubai, the manufacturer has officially launched the program. Airbus did not specify an entry-into-service date for the new aircraft. The A350F is expected to have a maximum structural take-off weight of 109 tons and is capable of flying fully-laden for 4,700 nautical miles — or Hong Kong to Moscow. The aircraft can reach 6,000 nautical miles — Hong Kong to Paris, for example —with its maximum volumetric weight of 92 tons, Airbus said. “ALC’s endorsement confirms the global enthusiasm we see for this quantum leap in the freighter space and we applaud its insightfulness in selecting it and in beating everyone to the finish line for the first A350F order announcement,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer. “It has seen the formidable value the A350F brings to the cargo market.”<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2021-11-16/general/airbus-bullish-on-lasting-cargo-prospects-with-launch-of-new-freighter
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/logo.png
Airbus bullish on lasting cargo prospects with launch of new freighter
Airbus has officially launched a freighter version of its A350 twin-engine aircraft, a sign that the airframer believes cargo demand will continue to grow and an acknowledgement that it is playing catch-up in this lucrative market with archrival Boeing. Lessor Air Lease Corp. (ALC) is one of the new freighter’s first customers, announcing an order for seven A350Fs at the Dubai Airshow. That order is part of the leasing giant’s 111-aircraft order Airbus order, which includes aircraft up and down Airbus’ product line. “We had the vision to be first adopters of the A321 and are convinced we have made the right choice again on the A220 and A350F, responding to what we see the market will need in the period of recovery ahead,” ALC Executive Chairman Steven Udvar-Hazy said. Airbus admitted in its Q2 earnings call that Boeing dominated the air freighter sector. The airframer has a lineup that includes the 747-8F, 767F, and the 777F, while Airbus’ offerings were much more limited. At the time, Udvar-Hazy recommended that Boeing double down on the sector and capitalize on its advantage against Airbus. “Boeing needs to focus on that,” he said at the time. Airbus in July announced the initial research and development on the A350F had begun, but with the announcement this week in Dubai, the manufacturer has officially launched the program. Airbus did not specify an entry-into-service date for the new aircraft. The A350F is expected to have a maximum structural take-off weight of 109 tons and is capable of flying fully-laden for 4,700 nautical miles — or Hong Kong to Moscow. The aircraft can reach 6,000 nautical miles — Hong Kong to Paris, for example —with its maximum volumetric weight of 92 tons, Airbus said. “ALC’s endorsement confirms the global enthusiasm we see for this quantum leap in the freighter space and we applaud its insightfulness in selecting it and in beating everyone to the finish line for the first A350F order announcement,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer. “It has seen the formidable value the A350F brings to the cargo market.”<br/>
