Air Cargo

Kalitta Air Identified as Buyer of Eight Airbus A350F Freighters

Kalitta Air has emerged as the undisclosed customer behind an eight-aircraft Airbus A350F order placed in August, according to industry sources. The Michigan-based cargo carrier declined to formally confirm the purchase, stating it remains in an evaluation phase with no announcement pending.

The order adds to Kalitta's ongoing fleet modernization efforts. In 2025, the carrier completed delivery of seven Boeing 777-300 converted freighters from lessor AerCap, supplementing its existing fleet of eight production 777Fs and 19 Boeing 747-400s as it phases out aging widebody freighters.

Airbus has now logged 115 A350F orders from at least 14 customers, with 34 commitments secured through 2026. The A350F prototype conducted its maiden flight from Toulouse on August 29, entering a nine-month test and certification campaign targeting simultaneous approvals from EASA and FAA by the middle of next year.