Airbus Delays A350 Freighter Launch by at Least a Year Due to Supply Chain Issues
Airbus will postpone the arrival of the A350 freighter version (A350F) by at least a year due to supply chain difficulties, according to industry sources cited by Reuters. The company is also facing obstacles in ramping up production of the A350 family in the coming months, which could limit output to six units per month for the rest of the year.
The delay in the introduction of the A350F could be announced on Thursday, when Airbus presents its annual results. The company declined to comment on the timeline for this variant, which was initially scheduled to enter service in 2026.
Production Challenges and Supplier Delays
The increase in A350 production is facing difficulties, particularly due to delays in fuselage deliveries from Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier for the program. Despite these challenges, Airbus maintains its goal of reaching a production rate of 12 units per month by 2028, including both passenger and freighter versions.
The supply chain crisis, which worsened during the pandemic, has affected aerospace manufacturing worldwide. Spirit AeroSystems, a fuselage supplier for both Airbus and Boeing, is undergoing a restructuring process that may include the potential sale of some operations. Boeing has agreed to repurchase its former subsidiary, while Airbus could take over Spirit’s European-linked activities, including a North Carolina plant crucial for A350 fuselage production.
Uncertainty Over Future Production Rates
Production delays have raised uncertainty about Airbus’ ability to increase assembly rates in 2025 and possibly 2026. During the pandemic, the company cut A350 production in half, reducing output to five units per month. In 2023, production was raised to six, but further increases have proven difficult. In January 2024, only two A350s were delivered.
Strong Demand for Freighters Despite Market Uncertainty
Despite global trade tensions, demand for freighter aircraft remains strong, driven by Gulf airlines and other carriers seeking to renew their fleets. Additionally, the sector has been impacted by delays in passenger-to-freighter conversion certification, further increasing demand for factory-built cargo planes.
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