Airbus completes delivery of first A350F freighter sections to Toulouse

Airbus has completed the delivery of all major components for the first A350F freighter (MSN 700) to its final assembly line in Toulouse, marking the start of the aircraft’s production phase. The manufacturer is preparing to assemble the fuselage sections and wings, with initial flight tests planned for 2026.

The fuselage sections, produced in various Airbus facilities in France and Germany, include the forward, central, and rear parts. The central fuselage sections (15/21) arrived in Toulouse on August 19, followed by the forward sections (11/14) two days later. Both were transported from Saint-Nazaire Montoir using Beluga XL aircraft, which are designed for large cargo shipments.

The fully equipped rear section was delivered from Hamburg, Germany, completing the set of primary structural components needed for assembly. According to Joost van der Heijden, Senior Vice President Marketing at Airbus, the assembly of these sections will begin in the coming weeks.

The A350F is based on the A350-1000 passenger aircraft and features design adaptations for air cargo operations. It offers a payload capacity of approximately 111 tonnes and an operational range of up to 4,700 nautical miles. One distinguishing feature is its main deck cargo door, measuring 175 inches wide with a clear opening of 169.5 inches, aimed at optimizing loading efficiency.

Airbus is producing two A350F prototypes for a certification and flight test campaign that will run through 2026 and 2027. The program has secured 65 orders worldwide as of August 2025, with French logistics group CMA CGM designated as the launch customer.

The A350F is scheduled to enter commercial service in the second half of 2027, targeting the growing demand for next-generation, high-capacity cargo aircraft. The upcoming assembly and tests are expected to determine the aircraft’s performance and readiness for entry into the global air freight market.

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