Airbus Challenges Boeing with A350F Freighters

Airbus launched its delayed A350F freighter on Tuesday, marking a major expansion into the air cargo market.

The maiden flight is part of nine months of certification trials before entering service in 2027 and competing with Boeing's 777 series.

About one-third of global trade by value travels by air, and half of that goes on purpose-built freighters rather than passenger jets.

Cargo traffic grew 4.7% in the first half of this year despite lower volumes in the Middle East, said Crawford Hamilton, head of freighter marketing.