Airbus has completed assembly of its first A350 freighter prototype and is preparing for a nine-month flight test campaign beginning next October, with entry into service targeted for late 2027, reported American Shipper.

The A350F programme, delayed a year by supply chain problems, will produce two test aircraft. The first will log about 300 hours focusing on flight behaviour, while the second will test systems including air conditioning, smoke detection and low-visibility take offs.

Airbus said certification will require about 400 hours of flight testing, as the freighter is a derivative of the A350-1000 and uses unchanged Rolls-Royce Trent engines. Concurrent approvals are sought from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the US Federal Aviation Administration.

The aircraft incorporates customer-driven features such as independent pallet loading systems, reinforced watertight floors, wider cargo doors and advanced temperature-controlled compartments. It can carry 111 metric tons over 4,700 nautical miles, with Airbus claiming 40 per cent lower fuel burn and emissions than older freighters.

Airbus has secured 82 firm orders from 13 airlines and leasing companies. Rival Boeing has more than 50 orders for its 777-8 freighter. Airbus forecasts shipping demand to grow 3.3 per cent annually, driving a 45 per cent increase in the global freighter fleet to 3,420 units over 20 years.

Market outlooks vary. Boeing projects a 67 per cent fleet increase by 2044, while consultancy IBA estimates growth of 41 per cent to nearly 4,000 aircraft. E-commerce is expected to remain a key driver, with volumes rising 6 to 7 per cent annually by 2030. Current air cargo volumes are up 4 per cent year-on-year in 2025, following a 12 per cent surge last year.