SINGAPORE (Feb 20): Europe’s Airbus said on Tuesday it has secured 50 firm orders for A350F, its new large widebody freighters from nine customers globally, including Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.

The freighter market outlook seems bright due to the industry’s ageing fleets and the requirement to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) enhanced carbon dioxide emissions standards in 2027, said Airbus’ head of freighter marketing Crawford Hamilton.

The A350F will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% compared with the previous generation 747F made by its American rival Boeing, he told the press at the Singapore Airshow. The aircraft is the first freighter offered to-date that will meet ICAO’s enhanced emissions standards in 2027, he noted.

Hamilton said A350F can fly up to 4,700 nautical miles or 8,700km at lower cost than any other freighter available today, allowing it to serve major cargo markets, including the world’s busiest freight route between Hong Kong and Anchorage.

The A350F, set to enter service in 2026, can carry a payload of up to 111 tonnes and features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, said Hamilton.

"With APAC [Asia-Pacific] set to become the largest region for international trade over the next two decades, the A350F... is perfectly tailored to improve the operations of the carriers, by meeting diverse cargo demands while leading the charge towards a more sustainable future in air freight," he added.

Airbus forecasted that the world would require 2,510 freighters by 2042, of which 33.7% or 845 of them meant to serve the Asia-Pacific region.