Airbus reported on Tuesday that it has delivered 61 aircraft in April, up 13% over 2023’s corresponding month, for a total of 203 deliveries this year. According to Airbus monthly data, an undisclosed airline placed 51 A321neo orders during the month, and IAG, the owner of British Airways, rearranged five narrow-body aircraft within its fleet.
In the meantime, Airbus stated that, despite a major leasing business raising concerns about the development timeframe, there had been no change in its aim for the A350 Freighter’s introduction into service. Last year, Airbus announced that it was pushing back the start of service from 2025 to 2026. Separately, it announced that the main cargo loading door of the aircraft would be enlarged.
“We believe, based on the information we’ve gotten from Airbus, that the programme will be delayed, because of the certification of this new configuration on the cargo door and its effect on the fuselage and the flooring and the structure of the airframe,” Steven, Executive Chairman at Air Lease Corp mentioned in conversation with the market analysts.
“We confirm the EIS (entry into service) was adjusted to 2026 back in 2023,” a spokesperson added.
According to a graphic that Airbus showed the journalists during the Singapore Airshow in February, the aircraft would go into service in the latter part of 2026, with flight testing taking place in the latter part of 2025 and the first half of 2026.
