air-cargo

Cathay Pacific Braces for Six-Month A350F Delivery Slip

Cathay Pacific disclosed a six-month delay to its Airbus A350 freighter deliveries during half-year results briefing. The carrier holds eight A350F aircraft on order, with Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan stating the postponement affects initial units. McGowan expressed confidence that Airbus will accelerate production on subsequent aircraft as volume ramps. Cathay originally ordered six freighters in December 2023, adding two more earlier this year, with initial deliveries targeted between 2027 and 2029. Airbus confirmed the A350F prototype will undergo flutter testing ahead of first flight before year-end. Initial deliveries are targeted for late 2027, with significant production volume beginning 2028. The freighter sector faces broader headwinds as Boeing's 777-8F competitor has also slipped, now expected in 2028 with customer Cargolux not anticipating deliveries until 2029.