Atlas Air places order for 20 A350 freighters  

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings said it has placed a firm order for 20 Airbus A350 freighters, with options for an additional 20 aircraft, making the airline the largest customer for the A350F.

The airline said deliveries are due to begin in 2029 and be completed in 2034. “As retirements of older widebody freighters accelerate, the large widebody freighter market will remain constrained, with limited new capacity entering the market,” said Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “This strategic investment reinforces our long-term confidence in global airfreight demand, and positions Atlas to meet that demand and support future growth.”

He added, “We are proud to become the largest customer for the Airbus A350F, securing early delivery positions for this next-generation widebody freighter platform.”

“This order reflects our commitment to maintaining the industry’s most modern and fuel-efficient widebody freighter fleet to best service existing and new customers worldwide. The A350F is a highly capable, reliable platform, with incremental payload and range benefits, and a strong sustainability profile,” Steen continued. 

“Atlas Air’s selection of the latest generation A350F – the first in the US – represents a pivotal moment, cementing the A350F’s position as the preferred true all new-generation freighter for the world’s most demanding cargo operators. We very much look forward to seeing it flying in Atlas’ colours,” said Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus.

The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. The A350F is also touted as the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027.