Etihad Airways (EY CARGO) and CMA AIR have added additional freighters to increase air cargo capacity.

Etihad Airways announced during the Dubai Airshow that it has placed an order for three additional Airbus A350F freighters, increasing its total order from seven to ten aircraft, further expanding its next-generation freighter fleet. The airline initially ordered seven A350Fs in August 2022.

Etihad Airways CEO, Antonio Aldo Neves, stated: "As global air cargo demand continues to grow, the A350F will provide us with crucial capacity. Our collaboration with Airbus is vital to our fleet strategy, and Etihad is committed to building a global, modern, and efficient widebody fleet."

The recent additional order had been planned in advance: the cargo division had previously indicated plans to expand its new-generation freighter fleet to 10 aircraft and confirmed at the end of 2024 that negotiations were underway to exercise options for three additional A350Fs. Introducing the A350F also aligns with the airline's fleet synergy strategy - Etihad currently operates five B777F freighters, and its passenger fleet already includes the A350 model, facilitating operational and maintenance synergies.

The A350F has a maximum payload of 111 tons and a range of 8,700 kilometers. Deliveries to Etihad are expected between 2029 and 2031. Airbus stated that the first A350F has completed the primary structure assembly, with test flights scheduled for 2026–2027, and deliveries planned to begin in the second half of 2027.

Currently, the A350F has 83 orders from 13 customers. Recent additions include: CMA CGM Air Cargo ordering six aircraft, MNG Airlines ordering two, and Korean Air converting seven A350 passenger aircraft orders to freighters. (Source: Air Cargo News)

Summary of A350F Orders (83 Aircraft)

Nov 2021: CMA CGM Air Cargo (part of CMA CGM Group) initially ordered 4, increased to 8 in April 2024. Air Lease Corporation ordered 7 (later cancelled in August 2022).

Dec 2021: Air France ordered 4 (confirmed April 2022, later adjusted to 3).

Feb 2022: Singapore Airlines confirmed an order for 7.

Jun 2022: Western Global ordered 2.

Aug 2022: Etihad Airways Cargo confirmed an order for 7 (additional 3 ordered in Nov 2025, total 10).

Jan 2023: Air France-KLM Group ordered 4, operated by Martinair for KLM Cargo (adjusted to 3 in Aug 2023).

Dec 2023: Turkish Airlines ordered 5; Cathay Cargo ordered 6, with 20 options.

Feb 2024: Starlux Airlines ordered 5 (additional 5 options added Jan 2025).

Jan 2025: Airbus received an order for 3 A350Fs, client undisclosed.

Jun 2025: Turkish MNG Airlines signed an MoU for 2 A350Fs (confirmed order in Oct 2025); leasing company AviLease ordered 10, with 12 additional options reserved.

Oct 2025: Korean Air converted 7 A350 passenger aircraft orders to freighters.

Nov 2025: CMA CGM Air Cargo ordered 6.

Air One expands its fleet again with the arrival of a second B777 freighter. The aircraft will be operated by the group's subsidiary airline, One Air. On November 19, the plane flew from Boeing's Everett factory to the UK and will be based at East Midlands Airport (EMA), operating scheduled flights to Hong Kong, China, under One Air's management.

In August this year, Air One received its first B777 freighter, also operated by One Air. The company stated that adding the second B777F further enhances operational reliability and service stability on Asia–Europe routes and serves as an effective complement to its existing fleet of 11 B747 freighters.

Air One Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Schulten, said: "The B777 freighter delivers excellent performance. The delivery of the second aircraft strengthens our ability to provide high-quality service on the Asia–Europe trunk routes, demonstrates our focus on operational reliability, and reflects our long-term commitment to building a modern, efficient fleet that meets customers' air cargo needs."

In September this year, Air One launched scheduled flights from the UK to Hong Kong, China, marking the company's expansion from charter operations to regular services. The route operates four flights per week, mainly carrying e-commerce products, electronics, and other time-sensitive cargo.

One Air Chief Operating Officer, Chris Seep, added: "This delivery demonstrates the readiness and professional capability of our technical and flight operations teams in supporting fleet and route expansion. The B777F has consistently shown high reliability and operational efficiency, perfectly meeting the evolving needs of our customers' air cargo requirements."