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By Scott Hamilton
Aug. 11, 2026, © Leeham News: The first delivery of the Airbus A350F could be slipping from late 2027 to 2028, LNA has learned.
LNA first reported this likelihood of later-than-expected delivery of the first A350F in October 2025. At the time, Airbus downplayed the possibility.
Airbus is still sticking with its announced late-2027 delivery target.
“I can confirm that the A350F first flight will be later in 2026 with the first delivery in 2027—no change in timeline,” a spokesperson said in an email.
A rendering of the A350F, a purpose-built freighter designed by Airbus to compete with other large twinjets currently on the cargo market. Photo credit: Airbus
On the company’s second quarter earnings call, chief executive Guillaume Faury said that the first delivery is still targeted for end-2027—but that goal was less than certain. “We expect the first flight before the end of this year, which means start of flight test immediately and a very dense flight test program, targeting certification and first delivery, ideally by end of next year. The…delivery of aircraft in rather significant numbers [can be] as soon as 2028.”
However, LNA has contrary information, according to market sources and a customer announcement.
