Airbus A350 freighter makes first flight as delivery race narrows to two carriers

Airbus flew its A350 freighter for the first time on Tuesday 29 September, opening the flight-test phase for the widebody cargo aircraft. The first serial A350F is due to be handed over at the end of 2027, the manufacturer said at Toulouse.

Two customers are in line for that aircraft. CMA CGM became the type's first committed buyer after Air Lease Corporation dropped its order in summer 2025, when the lessor said it would focus on passenger aircraft and cited delays to the freighter. Singapore Airlines, which ordered after the French logistics group, is the other candidate.

Julien Puyou, who heads Airbus's widebody programme, said CMA CGM had been the first customer to sign firmly and called Singapore Airlines a strategic partner.

The first A350F for CMA CGM will enter final assembly first, followed by the initial aircraft for the Singaporean carrier. Puyou said which of the two is finished first has yet to be determined.

Airbus holds firm orders for 115 aircraft, from an unnamed customer and 14 named ones: Air China Cargo, Air France Cargo, Atlas Air, Cathay Cargo, CMA CGM, which flies as CMA CGM Air Cargo, Etihad Cargo, KLM Cargo and Martinair, Korean Air, MNG Airlines, Silk Way West Airlines, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Starlux Cargo and Turkish Cargo.

The prototype that lifted off this week is not the aircraft that will go to a customer. The first serial example will be a separate airframe.