Toulouse, France, 9 January 2025 – STARLUX Airlines, a prominent Taiwanese carrier, has placed a firm order with Airbus for five additional A350F freighters, doubling its initial commitment made last year. The expanded fleet will bolster STARLUX Cargo operations on some of the world’s busiest freight routes, positioning the airline as a competitive force in the cargo sector.
Strategic Expansion for STARLUX Cargo
STARLUX CEO Glenn Chai emphasised the significance of the cargo market to the airline’s evolving business strategy, citing Taiwan’s advantageous geographical location as a major asset. “The A350F is the perfect choice for STARLUX, offering a similar payload-range capability as previous generation freighters, but with very significant reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions,” Chai said.
A Future-Ready Solution
The A350F’s advanced design underscores its position as a game-changer in heavy-lift markets. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft, stated, “The A350F will fit seamlessly into the carrier’s latest generation all-Airbus fleet, which offers unrivalled levels of technical and operational commonality. This second order from STARLUX is a powerful endorsement of the A350F’s capabilities.”
A350F: Leading the Way in Sustainable Cargo Aviation
Currently under development, the A350F is engineered to carry up to 111 tonnes over 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 kilometres). Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft achieves up to a 40% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared to older freighters.
Key features of the A350F include:
- The largest main deck cargo door in the industry.
- An airframe comprising over 70% advanced materials, enabling a 46-tonne lighter take-off weight than competing models.
- Full compliance with ICAO’s 2027 enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, setting a benchmark for sustainability.
STARLUX’s All-Airbus Fleet
With this latest order, STARLUX Airlines reinforces its commitment to an all-Airbus fleet, which currently includes 26 aircraft: the A321neo, A330neo, and A350-900. The A350F will complement this fleet, offering seamless operational integration and unmatched efficiency.
As of November 2024, Airbus’ A350 Family has secured 1,345 orders from 61 customers worldwide, including 55 for the A350F from 10 leading cargo carriers.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: © AIRBUS
