Air China Cargo has signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of four additional A350F freighters, increasing its total order for the next-generation cargo aircraft to 10, Airbus said in a press release issued on Tuesday.

The Chinese cargo carrier, a subsidiary of Air China, had previously ordered six A350F freighters in November 2025. The latest acquisition forms part of the airline’s strategy to optimise its fleet structure and expand transport capacity in response to growing demand in international air cargo markets.

“This additional order, following our initial A350F order last year, is a crucial strategic decision for the company to further optimise our fleet structure and expand transport capacity,” Wang Hongyan, Vice President of Air China Cargo, said in a statement issued by Airbus.

“It will allow us to better match and meet the demands of the international air cargo market, laying a solid foundation for the company's long-term stable development,” Wang added.

Airbus welcomed the expanded commitment, describing it as a strong endorsement of the A350F programme.

“We are very pleased with Air China Cargo's decision to increase its order for the A350F freighter. It reflects Air China Cargo's full confidence in Airbus’ products and reaffirms the A350F's leading position as the next-generation freighter,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales for Airbus’ commercial aircraft business.

Air China Cargo began integrating Airbus freighters into its operations in late 2023 and currently operates eight Airbus A330-200P2F freighters. Airbus said the new A350F aircraft would complement the existing fleet, with the A350F expected to be deployed primarily on long-haul international routes while enhancing operational flexibility on medium-to-long-haul services.

Designed for the evolving demands of global cargo transport, the A350F is capable of carrying payloads of up to 111 tonnes over distances of as much as 8,700 kilometres (5,406 miles). Airbus said the aircraft is constructed with more than 70 percent advanced materials and is around 46 tonnes lighter than competing freighter aircraft.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft is expected to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 20 percent compared with previous-generation freighters of similar payload and range. Airbus also said the A350F is the only freighter currently meeting the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 2027 carbon dioxide emissions standards.

The aircraft will be capable of operating with up to 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at entry into service, with Airbus targeting compatibility with 100 percent SAF by 2030 across its aircraft portfolio.

While the order is unlikely to directly affect passenger operations, aviation analysts say continued investment in freighter fleets reflects sustained confidence in global air cargo demand, particularly as carriers seek to strengthen supply chain resilience and e-commerce logistics capabilities.

As of the end of April 2026, Airbus said the A350F programme had secured 101 orders from 14 customers worldwide, underscoring increasing industry interest in fuel-efficient cargo aircraft as operators modernise ageing fleets.