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Airbus Starts A350F Assembly in Toulouse
Airbus has formally kicked off assembly of the A350F freighter in Toulouse, signalling a major push into the widebody cargo market.
Work has started on the new A350F at Airbus’s final assembly line in Toulouse, France; the first production shipset is registered as manufacturer serial number (MSN) 700. Airbus says MSN 700 is scheduled for a first flight in 2026 and commercial entry into service in 2027. The aircraft is positioned to serve global freight operators seeking larger, more efficient long‑haul capacity.
A350F programme: what we know
The A350F (A350 freighter) is Airbus’s dedicated widebody cargo variant based on the A350 family. Airbus is pitching the type as a fuel-efficient, long-range freighter to compete in a market that has seen rising demand for belly- and main-deck capacity. Assembly in Toulouse keeps production close to Airbus’s commercial aircraft lines and supply chain in southwestern France.
Airlines and cargo carriers have been ordering more long‑haul freighter capacity in recent years to meet e‑commerce growth and logistics needs. Airbus’s A350F aims to combine the A350’s aerodynamic advances with freighter-specific features to reduce operating costs and emissions per tonne moved, supporting airline sustainability goals.
- Key facts: A350F assembly in Toulouse; MSN 700; first flight planned in 2026; commercial service in 2027 — focus keyword: A350F
Production ramp timelines, customer deliveries and detailed performance numbers remain to be published by Airbus. Observers expect launch customers and long-term operators to emerge as prototype flight testing progresses through 2026. For now, MSN 700 is the visible start point of a program Airbus sees as central to its cargo strategy for the late 2020s.
