Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) may experience delays in the introduction of the A350F due to supply chain problems, Reuters reported citing industry sources. The rollout of new freighter aircraft could be delayed by up to a year from the current schedule, which assumes a 2026 entry into service.
The manufacturer has not publicly commented on possible issues in the introduction and production of the A350F. The manufacturer is expected to announce updates on the issue on February 20, 2025, when it publishes its annual results.
Airbus is struggling to increase the production rate of the A350 due to issues with Spirit AeroSystems, a major US supplier that has been experiencing issues with quality control. Industry sources have said that Spirit AeroSystems cannot deliver a sufficient number of fuselage parts for the A350F, which is the reason for the potential late rollout of the freighter.
The issues will also likely prevent Airbus from ramping up its current production rate of passenger A350s, which is six aircraft per month.
At least nine airlines have ordered the A350F, the ch-aviation fleets module shows. Since Airbus announced the A350F programme in 2021, it has received orders for 66 airframes. Etihad Airways and Starlux Airlines are the biggest customers of the type, each ordering ten aircraft. Future operators also include Air France, CMA CGM Air Cargo, Cathay Pacific, Martinair (Netherlands), Silk Way West Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, while Air Lease Corporation has ordered seven aircraft and three were ordered by (an) undisclosed customer(s).
Airbus did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment.
