Airbus gets a new freighter – and its giant door – into the air for the first time
The A350F is apparently good for carrying servers
Airbus has successfully completed its maiden flight of a new freighter aircraft based on its A350 passenger jet. This marks a significant step towards delivering a high-capacity freighter for the aerospace giant. Airbus already produces two freighters, the A330 and A321 based models, as well as custom freighters known as "Beluga" and "BelugaST", named after their whale-like appearance.
The new A350F can carry a payload of 109 tonnes, compared to 64 tonnes for its A330F counterpart. Additionally, the A350F boasts a longer range and features a 4.3-meter door large enough to accommodate a turbofan engine. Airbus claims the plane is better suited for carrying high-value, time-sensitive cargo such as computer servers and electronic chip manufacturing machines.
The plane's capacity is slightly less than rival Boeing's 777F, but Airbus says it is more efficient and therefore cheaper to operate. Airbus has already placed orders for 115 A350Fs, and is in the process of completing a second model. While the A350F cannot handle truly enormous loads, it offers a more modern alternative to aging freighters like the 747 and Antonov An124, which are being considered for modernization or replacement.
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