On the second day of the Singapore Airshow, more orders continue to pour in. Today, Singapore Airlines (SIA) finalised the purchase agreement for seven A350F freighter aircraft. The order was signed at the Singapore Airshow by SIA CEO Goh Choong Phong, and Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International Christian Scherer.
The A350F Freighter variant received its launch order at the Dubai Airshow 2021, and picked up 11 orders from lessors Air Lease Corporation and maritime logistics company CMA CGM S.A. Singapore Airlines had signed a Letter of Intent to order the aircraft in December 2021. Singapore Airlines has ordered seven A350F aircraft, with options for another five. Air France-KLM still needs to confirm its December order for four freighters.
The newly ordered aircraft will replace the carrier’s existing 747-400F fleet from the fourth quarter of 2025. Singapore Airlines will become the first operator in the world to fly the A350F.
On this occassion, Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said, “This order underscores the importance of the cargo market to the SIA Group. The introduction of the A350F will enhance our capabilities in this key sector, ensuring that we are ready for the growth opportunities that will arise in the coming years. These new-generation aircraft will substantially increase our operating efficiencies and reduce our fuel burn, making an important contribution towards the success of our long-term decarbonisation goals.”
Christian Scherer, the Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International Christian Scherer, added, “The A350F will fit seamlessly into the carrier’s existing fleet, while redefining the operational efficiency of its cargo operations, bringing a 40% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions compared with the aircraft it will replace at SIA, while offering the same payload-carrying capacity and longer range. Consumer patterns have changed dramatically in recent times, generating increased demand for the swift transport of cargo by air. With the A350F, SIA will be well-positioned to respond to this enormous market potential in a profitable and sustainable way.”
The deal allows the airline to swap part of the order for 15 A320neo aircraft and two A350-900 passenger aircraft that SIA had previously ordered from Airbus and remain to be delivered. Those 17 planes have a list value of $2.3 billion when Airbus last published prices in 2018.
