Cathay Group has placed a firm order for two additional Airbus A350F freighters, strengthening its future dedicated cargo fleet and confirming its interest in Airbus’s new-generation long-haul freighter.
This new commitment follows an initial order for six A350F aircraft announced in December 2023, which was accompanied by purchase options for 20 additional frames. The A350F aircraft are intended for Cathay Cargo, the group’s freight division, and will support Hong Kong’s role as a major global air cargo hub. Deliveries of the first six aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2027.
The Airbus A350F, still in development at the time of the initial order, is designed specifically for the cargo market. It offers a maximum payload of around 111 tonnes and a range of about 8,700 km (4,700 nautical miles), enabling service on high-volume long-haul routes such as those linking Hong Kong with North America and Europe.
The A350F will join a Cathay fleet that already includes a large number of Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 passenger aircraft. By transitioning part of its future cargo capacity to a new-generation freighter, Cathay is preparing a gradual modernization of its dedicated cargo fleet and reinforcing the connectivity of Hong Kong with mainland China and the rest of the world.