STARLUX Airlines Orders an Additional Five A350 Freighters

STARLUX Airlines ordered an additional five A350F freighters. This significant order follows the airline’s initial order for five A350Fs placed in 2024, demonstrating its confidence in the aircraft’s capabilities and its ambitious growth plans in the air cargo market.

The latest order underscores the strong demand for dedicated freighters and highlights the A350F’s position as a leading solution for efficient and sustainable long-haul cargo operations.

STARLUX doubles down on cargo ambitions with A350F order

Last year on 21 February, STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan placed a firm order for five all-new A350F freighters and three more A330neo widebody aircraft. With this order, STARLUX became the first Taiwanese airline to operate the next-generation A350F widebody freighter. On 9 January 2025 – they decided to expand their collection of A350F Airbus freighters with an order for Airbus for five more A350F freighters.

This order holds significant importance for both STARLUX Airlines and Airbus. STARLUX gains a modern, fuel-efficient fleet, allowing them to expand to new destinations and compete effectively. Thus, strengthening their position in the aviation market. As for Airbus, this order boosts sales, solidifies their market leadership, and showcases their commitment to innovation with the advanced A350F freighter. Furthermore, this order highlights the growing importance of air cargo in the global market. Air cargo is crucial for transporting time-sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals, perishable foods, and high-value electronics. It enables businesses to efficiently move goods across borders efficiently, supporting global supply chains and facilitating international trade.

What makes the A350F freighter special?

The Airbus A350F is a dedicated freighter aircraft built on the foundation of the successful A350-1000 passenger jet. It is the industry’s lowest-emission freighter, meeting airlines’ energy efficiency and carbon reduction expectations. Also aligns with STARLUX’s ESG roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It offers several key advantages for STARLUX Airlines:

1. Fuel efficiency and stability: The aircraft offers unbeatable efficiency in terms of fuel burn, CO2 emissions, and economics. The A350F’s advanced technology enables a step change of up to 40% better economic and fuel efficiency versus older generation freighters, such as the 747F
2. Nose to Tail innovation with advanced materials: The A350F is much lighter and less maintenance-intensive than its competitors, largely thanks to its structure
3. The A350F offers the best combination of payload, volumetric capacity, and range.
4. Modern Technology: The A350F incorporates the latest technology, including advanced avionics and systems, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

“We thank STARLUX Airlines for its ongoing confidence in Airbus and its products,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. “The A350F will fit seamlessly into the carrier’s latest generation all-Airbus fleet which offers unrivaled levels of technical and operational commonality. This second order from this fast-growing airline is another endorsement of the all-new A350F as the future game-changer in heavy lift markets.”

STARLUX’s future vision in the cargo market

The company anticipates a strong market for cargo delivery operations over the coming years. They will strive to develop a strong brand identity in the air cargo market, emphasizing reliability, speed, and customer service. STARLUX CEO Glenn Chai stated: “The cargo market is set to become a key element in our business model and will benefit from the advantages offered by Taiwan’s geographical location”. By building a fleet of Airbus freighters, STARLUX position themselves as one of the world’s largest A350F customers. This demonstrates STARLUX’s strong confidence in the steady and long-term growth of the cargo market, laying a solid foundation for its future cargo strategy.

Bassant Ahmed

Bassant Ahmed is a dedicated student currently pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering at Cairo University. With a deep passion for aviation, she has always been fascinated by the mechanics and innovations that drive the aerospace industry. Driven by her curiosity, Bassant aims to contribute to the field by combining her technical knowledge with a keen interest in the future of flight. In addition to her studies, she is focused on improving her writing skills, recognizing the importance of effective communication in both engineering and beyond. Her commitment to personal and professional growth reflects her ambition to excel in her academic journey and future career.

You might also like:

• Interview with SWISS CEO Dieter Vranckx on Sustainability and New Routes
• Airbus Tests its DragonFly Project on an Airbus A350
• What’s special about A320?
• Airbus is planning to expand the A320 production next year
• Which Aircraft Model Can Fly the Longest?