Singapore Airlines to Replace Boeing 747-400Fs with Airbus A350 Freighters

(17 Feb 2022)  Singapore Airlines (SIA) has firmed up an order for seven Airbus A350 Freighters, with options on a further five aircraft.

The A350Fs will replace SIA’s seven Boeing 747-400 freighters.

The airline will be the first carrier to operate this new generation widebody freighter aircraft when deliveries begin in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The A350F, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, burns up to 40% less fuel on similar missions than the 747-400F, reducing SIA’s carbon emissions by around 400,000 tonnes annually.

Rendering of a Singapore Airlines Airbus A350F

Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said, “This order underscores the importance of the cargo market to the SIA Group. The introduction of the A350F will enhance our capabilities in this key sector, ensuring that we are ready for the growth opportunities that will arise in the coming years. These new generation aircraft will substantially increase our operating efficiencies and reduce our fuel burn, making an important contribution towards the success of our long term decarbonisation goals.”

The A350F deal with Airbus includes a swap with 15 A320neo and two A350-900 passenger aircraft in the SIA Group order book.

“Singapore Airlines is the world's largest operator of the A350 and is now set to become the first to fly the all-new freighter variant,” said Mr Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, Airbus. “The A350F will fit seamlessly into the carrier's existing fleet, while redefining the operational efficiency of its cargo operations, bringing a 40% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions compared with the aircraft it will replace at SIA, while offering the same payload-carrying capacity and longer range. Consumer patterns have changed dramatically in recent times, generating increased demand for the swift transport of cargo by air. With the A350F, SIA will be well-positioned to respond to this enormous market potential in a profitable and sustainable way.”