Atlas Air Orders 20 Airbus A350F Freighters with Options for Additional 20 Aircraft

Investing.com – Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. announced the order of 20 Airbus A350F freighters, with an option to purchase an additional 20 aircraft. This order makes Atlas the largest customer of the wide-body freighter platform and secures an early delivery position for the aircraft.

Deliveries are expected to begin in 2029 and be completed by 2034. The order represents a long-term investment in the company’s fleet strategy, enabling Atlas to drive profit growth while modernizing its global fleet.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the A350F will support expansion and broaden Atlas’s fleet options for its global freight and charter market customers. The aircraft will complement the company’s existing fleet of 113 aircraft, including Boeing 747, 777, and 767. As the world’s largest wide-body freighter operator, Atlas holds approximately 13% of the market share.

Michael Steen, CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide, said, “We are proud to be the largest customer of the Airbus A350F, securing an early delivery position for this next-generation wide-body platform. This order reflects our commitment to maintaining the most modern and fuel-efficient wide-body fleet in the industry to best serve our existing and new customers worldwide.”

Steen added that the A350F offers payload, range advantages, and sustainability features. The order also adds Airbus and Rolls-Royce to Atlas’s list of aircraft and engine manufacturers.

“With the retirement of older wide-body freighters accelerating, the large wide-body market will continue to be constrained, with limited new capacity entering the market. This strategic investment reinforces our long-term confidence in global air freight demand and enables Atlas to meet this demand and support future growth,” Steen said.

Lars Wagner, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, stated that as Atlas incorporates the platform into its fleet, the company is committed to building a long-term partnership.

The A350F is the only freighter fully compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) enhanced CO2 emissions standards, which take effect in 2027. The aircraft features the industry’s largest main deck cargo door, with fuselage length and capacity optimized around standard pallets and containers. The fuselage is made from advanced materials, resulting in a lighter takeoff weight.

This order supports long-term pilot career development and operational expansion opportunities. With the addition of new aircraft to the fleet, Atlas expects to create more wide-body flying opportunities.

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