Airbus postpones A350F freighter first flight to late 2026, eyes 2027 delivery

Airbus announced that the A350F freighter’s maiden flight will now occur before the end of 2026, later than the previously planned third‑quarter 2026 slot. Chief Executive Guillaume Faury disclosed the revised timetable during the company's first‑half earnings webcast, stressing that certification remains on track and that the first delivery is still targeted for the end of 2027.

Two test aircraft are being assembled in Toulouse for an intensive certification campaign. The A350F, which can carry more than 110 tonnes of payload, has secured 107 firm orders and will compete directly with Boeing’s 777‑8 Freighter, also slated for service in 2027. The programme’s timing is driven by new ICAO CO₂ emissions standards that will phase out older‑generation freighters after 2027, creating a market opening for Airbus.

The updated schedule reflects a “very dense” testing schedule but does not alter the overall goal of delivering the aircraft to customers by late 2027.