Starlux Airlines has strengthened its commitment to air cargo operations by ordering five additional Airbus A350F freighters, doubling its previous order to ten aircraft.
The announcement, made in Toulouse on January 9, marks a significant expansion of the Taiwanese carrier’s freight capabilities.
The latest generation freighters will be operated by Starlux Cargo on major global freight routes, leveraging Taiwan’s strategic geographic position in Asian logistics networks.
Starlux Airlines CEO Glenn Chai emphasized the strategic importance of cargo operations to the airline’s future.
The cargo market is set to become a key element in our business model and will benefit from the advantages offered by Taiwan’s geographical location.
Glenn Chai, Starlux Airlines CEO
Chai highlighted the A350F’s payload-range capabilities, which match previous generation freighters while offering substantial reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
The A350F, currently under development, boasts a payload capacity of 111 tonnes and a range of 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 kilometers). Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft promises up to 40% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared to previous generation freighters with similar capabilities.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft, noted that the order reinforces Starlux’s confidence in Airbus products and highlighted the operational benefits of maintaining an all-Airbus fleet.
“We thank STARLUX Airlines for its ongoing confidence in Airbus and its products,” he said.
The carrier currently operates 26 Airbus aircraft, including A321neo, A330neo, and A350-900 XWB models.
The A350F incorporates several technical innovations, including the industry’s largest main deck cargo door and extensive use of advanced materials, resulting in a 46-tonne lighter takeoff weight compared to competitors.
Notably, it is currently the only freighter aircraft fully compliant with ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, which become effective in 2027.
This order contributes to the growing success of the A350 program, which has secured 1,345 orders from 61 customers worldwide as of November 2024. The freighter variant has attracted orders for 55 aircraft from 10 cargo carriers, indicating strong market confidence in the new aircraft type.
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