Toulouse, France. Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (“Atlas”), a global leader in airfreight logistics based in the United States in New York, has placed a landmark firm order for 20 Airbus A350F freighters. The order is the largest ever placed for the latest generation fuel efficient A350F and makes Atlas the biggest customer of the type.
The A350F aircraft will be deployed for growth. As a leading outsourced aviation logistics company, Atlas is uniquely positioned to bring the A350F’s next-generation performance to global operators across a wide variety of business models and markets.
“We are proud to become the largest customer for the Airbus A350F, securing early delivery positions for this next-generation widebody freighter platform,” said Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “This order reflects our commitment to maintaining the industry’s most modern and fuel-efficient widebody freighter fleet to best service existing and new customers worldwide. The A350F is a highly capable, reliable platform, with incremental payload and range benefits, and a strong sustainability profile. We are pleased to add Airbus and Rolls-Royce to our supplier base of leading aircraft and engine manufacturers, offering us optionality and supporting our global operations and continued growth.”
“We are excited to welcome Atlas Air Worldwide, a global leader of the air cargo industry, to the Airbus family,” said Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. “Atlas Air’s selection of the latest generation A350F – the first in the US – represents a pivotal moment, cementing the A350F’s position as the preferred true all new-generation freighter for the world’s most demanding cargo operators. We very much look forward to seeing it flying in Atlas’ colours.”
The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46 tonne lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative. The A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027.
