STARLUX Airlines announced that it has placed a firm order for five all-new A350F and three additional A330neo widebody aircraft.
The order agreement was signed on February 21, 2024 during a media conference at the Singapore Airshow by KW Chang, Chairman of STARLUX Airlines, and Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
Taiwanese carrier STARLUX, which was founded in May 2018, operates an all-Airbus passenger fleet which currently includes the A350-900, A330neo and the A321neo. According to STARLUX, the A350F will be operated on some of the busiest cargo routes worldwide and will enable its cargo operations to serve those networks.
The A350F is currently under development, and can carry a payload of up to 111 tons and can fly up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 kilometers) at significantly lower cost than any available freighter today.
Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent-XWB97 engines, the A350F will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% compared with the older B747F.
The A350 features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry and over 70% of its airframe is made of advanced materials which will result in a 46 ton lighter takeoff weight compared to competing aircraft.
Meanwhile, the additional A330neo order will boost the airline’s fleet from four to seven, with the aircraft featuring a two-class cabin with 28 business class seats and 269 economy class seats.
The order makes STARLUX the first Taiwanese airline to operate the next-generation A350F widebody freighter.
“STARLUX Airlines has continuously nurtured the cargo market since its inception, capitalizing on the strategic advantages offered by Taiwan’s geographical location. [The A350F] not only meets customer requirements for carbon reduction, but also aligns with STARLUX’s ESG plan to achieve zero emissions by 2050,” STARLUX CEO Glenn Chai said during the media conference.
“The A350F, the only new generation large freighter, will fit seamlessly into this all-Airbus fleet and enable STARLUX Airlines to compete effectively with the leading players in key cargo markets,” Benoit de Saint-Exupery said during the event.