In a bid to strengthen its cargo fleet, Korean Air has ordered the conversion of seven of its existing Airbus A350-1000 passenger aircraft orders to the A350F. As a result, the airline becomes a new type of customer for the European aircraft manufacturer. More specifically, the carrier is the latest to join the bandwagon of operators who will have the world’s only all-new large freighter.
Korean Air has a total of 33 A350 aircraft on order. After the conversion, the order book reads 20 A350-1000s, seven A350Fs, and six A350-900s. The airline has already taken delivery of two A350-900s. Additionally, Korean Air is awaiting the delivery of 39 A321neo aircraft.
The Airbus A350F claims the title of the largest main deck cargo door in the aviation industry, while the fuselage length and capacity check the industry’s standard pallets and container dimensions. Moreover, the Airbus A350F offers a 46-tonne lighter take-off weight compared to the closest rival. That’s courtesy of the airframe, 70 per cent of which is built using advanced and lightweight materials. The reduced weight also pays dividends in meeting the stringent CO2 emission standards, coming into effect in 2027.
Airbus claims that once the A350F is ready, it’ll offer a payload capacity of up to 111 tonnes, while offering a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 kilometres). Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines will power the freighter. Compared to the previous generation of aircraft that offered a similar payload, the Airbus A350F is expected to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by up to 40 per cent.
