Air France-KLM cuts Airbus A350F order amid program delays

The group continues to operate two Boeing 777-200Fs with Air France Cargo and three Boeing 747-400Fs with Martinair. These older models are set to be replaced by the new A350Fs once they enter service, but existing leases may be extended to ensure uninterrupted operations.

Airbus launched the A350 Freighter program in 2021, targeting an initial entry into service in 2026. However, due to supply chain issues, Airbus postponed deliveries until late 2027. The first flight-test A350F is expected to begin final assembly later this year.

Currently, Airbus has received orders for 69 A350 freighters. Some of these orders are from unidentified customers, while Etihad Airways and Starlux have each ordered ten aircraft. Other airlines planning to operate the model include CMA CGM Air Cargo, Cathay Pacific, Silk Way West Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.

In June 2025, Airbus reported that Air Lease Corporation (ALC), originally set as the launch customer for the A350F after ordering seven units in 2021 as part of a larger deal for 110 aircraft, canceled its order for seven freighters. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s AviLease ordered a total of 77 Airbus jets: 55 A320neos and 22 A350s.

Alongside changes to its freighter fleet plans, Air France-KLM is also adjusting its passenger aircraft orders by converting some of its larger-capacity A350-1000 orders into smaller-capacity A350-900s. In 2023, Air France-KLM had placed an order for 50 new A350s—39 -900s and eleven -1000s—but recent data shows up to eight -1000s were converted to -900s. This reflects a shift toward smaller planes with longer range capabilities intended to replace older models such as the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 within their fleet.

As of July 2025, Airbus has received a total of 1,428 orders for all versions of the A350 family; it has delivered nearly half that number so far (669). Recent months saw Ethiopian Airlines take delivery of its fourth A350-1000 on August 1st; Starlux ordered ten more -1000s in June; Riyadh Air placed an order for twenty-five -1000s; AviLease ordered ten additional freighters during that same period (source: https://simpleflying.com/air-france-klm-downgrades-airbus-a350f-order/).

Guillaume Faury serves as CEO of Airbus (source: https://www.airbus.com/en/who-we-are/our-leadership/guillaume-faury).

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