Air China Cargo to order six A350 freighters from Airbus

Core Insights - Air China Cargo intends to sign a purchase agreement with Airbus for six A350 freighter aircraft, marking it as the first mainland Chinese carrier to acquire this new model [1] - The total value of the deal for the six firm orders and four options is estimated at $4.65 billion, with significant discounts negotiated by Air China Cargo [1][2] Company Strategy - The transaction aligns with Air China Cargo's development plan and market demand, aiming to optimize fleet structure and long-term capacity replenishment [2] - The new aircraft will enhance the company's freighter capacity structure, catering to market and customer needs, thus contributing to stable long-term operations [2] Current Fleet - Air China Cargo currently operates a fleet of 24 freighters, which includes eight A330-200Fs, three Boeing 747-400Fs, and 13 Boeing 777Fs [2] Aircraft Specifications - The A350F is designed to carry up to 120 tons with a maximum range of 4,700 nautical miles and features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry [5] - The aircraft is expected to be 20% more fuel-efficient than the Boeing 777 and older Boeing 747-400 freighters, with a weight reduction of 50 tons compared to the Boeing 777X freighter [4]