Airbus is pressing ahead with flight tests of its new A350F freighter, the European manufacturer’s most serious attempt yet to break Boeing’s long-standing hold on the large cargo aircraft market.

The first A350F test aircraft, MSN 700, made its maiden flight from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport on Sept 29, 2026, Airways magazine reported. Airbus said the aircraft flew for 4 hours and 10 minutes and reached 25,000 feet. The flight opened a test campaign that Airbus says will run for about nine months. A second test aircraft, MSN 701, is in advanced final assembly.

Boeing has dominated the large freighter segment for decades with the 747 freighter, 767 freighter, and 777F, while Airbus’ earlier A330-200F did not match the sales of those aircraft, according to industry reports. Airbus launched the A350F in July 2021. It originally aimed to enter service in 2025 and has since moved the schedule several times.

Airbus is now targeting certification and first customer deliveries in the second half of 2027, which leaves little more than a year for the certification campaign with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury has described the flight test programme as very dense.

The A350F can carry a payload of about 111 tonnes and is derived from the A350 passenger jet. Airbus has developed freight-specific systems for it, including a main-deck cargo loading system, a large cargo door, fire and smoke protection, a courier area, and anti-tail-tipping technology, International Finance reported.

Airbus says the aircraft is the first new freighter to fully meet the latest ICAO CO₂ emission standards. Industry analysts say tighter emissions rules could limit deliveries of older freighter designs, which gives new-generation aircraft an opening.

Order books have grown. Airbus had 107 firm orders from 14 customers by July, according to reports, and an eight-aircraft order from an undisclosed customer firmed on Aug 31, bringing the total to 115, Aerocorner reported, citing Airbus’ monthly orders data.

According to industry reports, Boeing has delayed its competing 777-8F, based on the 777X, until 2028. Boeing has the advantage of decades of experience in the freighter market, an established customer base, and a large global support network for its cargo aircraft.

Airbus forecasts demand for about 930 new production freighters and 2,000 passenger-to-freighter conversions over the next 20 years.

Sources: Airways magazine/Int. Finance/Cargo Newswire/AviationA2Z.