Cathay Group Orders A350 Freighters

Airbus is finding strong demand for its A350F Freighter model. Today, Cathay Group in Hong Kong has placed firm orders for 2 A350F Freighters, adding to their existing order for 6 aircraft for Cathay Cargo. This brings the total order book for the cargo version to 107 aircraft, including the order from Air China earlier this week. This is a strong start for cargo variant that is currently under development and expected to enter service in 2027.

Cathay Cargo

Cathay Cargo, alongside Cathay Pacific, is based in Hong Kong and serves more than 40 markets with cargo service from Australia, Europe, Australia and Asia. The carrier currently has a fleet of 14 Boeing 747-400ERF and 6 Boeing 747-8F cargo aircraft, with 8 Airbus A350F on order. The carrier has 18 remaining options from its original A350 order.  As Cathay wants to replace the 747-400ERFs with the A350F, we might expect orders for another six, particularly if high fuel prices remain given the strong fuel burn advantage of the A350F.

Ronald Lam, CEO of the Cathay Group, said “We are pleased to further strengthen our fleet with these additional A350F freighters that will provide greater connectivity at our home hub and more choices for our customer. This strategic, future-ready investment reflects our resolute confidence in our long-term growth prospects, and supports Cathay Cargo’s goal of being the world’s best air cargo carrier.”

The A350F is Gaining Momentum

“Cathay’s continued endorsement of the A350F is another powerful signal that the A350F brings a new generation of freighter capacity and efficiency. The A350F will fit seamlessly into the airline’s existing Airbus fleet with unrivaled operational and technical commonality, while accelerating the airline’s decarbonization journey. We could not be more excited to grow this partnership,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.

After the Air China order this week and Atlas Air earlier this year, the A350F is gaining market momentum as it approaches entry into service in 2027. We are now seeing carriers increasing their orders as the aircraft moves closer to certification and initial deliveries next year.

The Bottom Line

Airbus is having success in taking freighter market share from Boeing for new orders, as the 767F and 777F have older technology that fails ICAO standards that will restrict new sales from 2027. With the 777X certification six to seven years late and focusing on the passenger version, Airbus has a short-term opportunity to level the playing field with its new technology freighter and effectively compete in a market that was a virtual monopoly for Boeing in recent years. Can Airbus be successful with the A350F? Signs point to this freighter effort finally breaking through, and providing competition in the marketplace.

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