Air China Cargo is set to expand its all-cargo fleet with plans to order up to 10 Airbus A350F aircraft, in what could become one of the most significant freighter deals by a Chinese carrier in recent years.
In a filing to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on 28 October, the airline confirmed it had signed an agreement with Airbus covering six firm orders and four options, valued at $4.65 billion at list prices. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031.
However, the carrier noted that final approval for the deal will be sought during its shareholders’ meeting on 14 November 2025.
Air China Cargo said the agreement followed “fair negotiations” and that Airbus had offered “a large price discount”, meaning the actual purchase cost would be below the catalogue price.
If approved, the purchase would mark Airbus’s fourth A350F order in 2025, joining earlier commitments from STARLUX Airlines, AviLease, and an undisclosed customer.
As of 30 September, Airbus had logged 65 firm orders for the A350F, the new-generation widebody freighter designed to compete with Boeing’s 777F and 777-8F. Its customers include Air France, Cathay Pacific, CMA CGM, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Silk Way West Airlines, among others.
Air China Cargo said the acquisition would enhance its market share and global competitiveness, with the A350F expected to improve fuel efficiency and operating performance compared with older freighter types.
If the deal proceeds, it would also represent a further deepening of Airbus’s footprint in China’s cargo aviation sector, as the European manufacturer continues to expand its presence in the region’s fast-growing logistics market.
