Airbus considers launching an A350F

According to Reuters, Airbus is actively considering launching a freighter version of the A350 and is pitching the aircraft to potential customers. The manufacturer is thinking about the launch as demand for newly-built passenger widebodies has plummeted and will be lower in the coming years, while the cargo-flying business is growing. An A350-freighter would support Airbus in keeping widebody-production on a more stable level.

The report from Reuters states that Airbus is thinking of producing a slightly longer A350-900. Development of this new variant is expected to cost up to 3 billion USD. Most challenging aspect is adjusting the composite fuselage for the wide cargo door and strengthened floor.

Airbus only wants to go ahead with the project if it can secure at least 50 orders for the A350-freighter, which would go head-to-head with the B777-200F as its closest rival. However, with a lot of widebody aircraft parked and retired prematurely, airlines might be more interested in cheaper passenger-to-conversion programs as the A330P2F and the B777-300ERSF.

Photo by Airbus.