Airbus to Delay A350 Freighter Launch to 2026

‍DALLAS — Airbus, the European aircraft production giant, is set to postpone the launch of the A350F Freighter by about a year, according to various news sources. 

If these reports are accurate, this latest delay is due to production and supply chain disruptions that have been ongoing for over five years. The roots of these disruptions can be traced back to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. 

These challenges have evolved into a structural crisis compounded by labor shortages, geopolitical tensions, and technological bottlenecks. 

On June 24, 2024, company representatives reported that, despite earlier assurances, the planned goal of 800 commercial aircraft deliveries for the year would not be met. 

At the time, the company acknowledged that ongoing supply chain challenges had led to shortages comprising cabin interior components, structural parts, and engines.

Airbus is already facing obstacles in increasing production of the passenger version of the A350, primarily due to persistent delays in fuselage part deliveries from its major supplier, Spirit AeroSystems. These issues could limit A350 production throughout 2025.

The Airbus management team has also announced that the planned increase in A320neo production to 75 units per month, initially set for 2026, has been postponed to 2027. This suggests that supply chain issues are severe and unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.

Airbus has delivered 15,988 aircraft, including the A330, A340, A350, and A380. So far in 2025, Airbus has delivered 25 aircraft to 17 customers, and in January 2025, the company received 55 new orders, eight for the A350F: five for Starlux Airlines (JX) and three undisclosed.

However, the January delivery figure represents a year-over-year decline compared to January 2024, when Airbus handed over 30 aircraft to 18 customers.

According to IATA, the sector will remain mired in delays, with Airbus and Boeing collectively holding a backlog of 17,000 aircraft orders—equivalent to 14 years of production at current rates.

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