Korean Air is to convert orders for seven Airbus A350-1000s into agreements for A350 freighters, becoming a new customer for the cargo twinjet.
It marks another lift for the A350F following the disclosure by Air China Cargo that it is also planning to acquire the type.
Korean Air had 27 A350-1000s in its backlog, none of which has yet been delivered.
The carrier states, in a stock filing, that it is aiming to “strengthen competitiveness” on medium- and long-haul routes through a fleet upgrade, and puts the overall investment at W18,466 billion ($13.7 billion).
Korean Air says its “target” fleet will comprise 20 A350-1000s plus six A350-900s and seven A350Fs. It has received two of the six -900s.
The Asian carrier had already revealed a commitment in August to the Boeing 777-8F, the cargo variant of the 777X, with plans to take eight of the type.
Airbus executive vice-president for commercial aircraft sales Benoit de Saint-Exupery states that Korean Air’s acquisition is a ”very significant endorsement” of the A350F, given the carrier’s strong presence in the cargo sector.
Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the A350F is due to enter service in the second half of 2027.
Airbus had secured orders for 63 A350Fs by the end of September. Air China Cargo has newly revealed that it intends to take up to 10 A350Fs, comprising six firm aircraft and four options.
