What's Happening To The Airbus A350?
Why It Matters
Extended A350 delays threaten airline fleet plans and give Boeing a competitive edge, while Airbus’s freighter momentum offers a potential revenue buffer.
Key Takeaways
- •Airbus warns A350 deliveries delayed through end of decade.
- •Supply chain issues at former Spirit Aero fuselage plant hinder production.
- •A350F freighter gains firm orders, surpassing 100 aircraft.
- •Qantas' Project Sunrise A350‑1000 ULR postponed to April 2027 next year.
- •Airbus targets 12 A350s per month, far above current output.
Summary
Airbus’s flagship wide‑body, the A350, is facing a cascade of delivery delays that could stretch to the end of the decade, as the manufacturer grapples with lingering supply‑chain bottlenecks and production shortfalls.
The company disclosed that shortages of fuselage sections from the former Spirit Aero Systems plant in North Carolina are disrupting final assembly, forcing it to push back delivery slots for both passenger and freighter variants. Airbus’s goal of ramping output to 12 aircraft per month remains far beyond the modest four‑to‑five units produced in the first half of 2024.
Despite the setbacks, the A350F freighter is gaining traction: Air China Cargo added four jets and Cathay Cargo two more, pushing firm orders above 100 across 15 customers. Meanwhile, Qantas’s ultra‑long‑range A350‑1000 ULR, central to the Project Sunrise non‑stop Sydney‑London/New York concept, slipped to an April 2027 delivery, after the maiden flight of MSN 707 demonstrated the aircraft’s 41,000‑ft cruise capability.
The prolonged timeline tightens the supply of modern wide‑bodies, pressuring airlines to defer fleet renewal or turn to competitors such as Boeing’s 777‑8F. For Airbus, meeting the 12‑per‑month target will be critical to restore confidence and capitalize on the growing cargo market.
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