At the Singapore Airshow last week, Taiwanese airline, STARLUX, placed a firm order for five production A350F freighters and three additional A330neo widebody aircraft, adding to its all-Airbus passenger fleet of 21: 13 A321neo, 4 A330neo, and 4 A350-900. (4 further A330neo and 14 A350 aircraft are already in the pipeline). The agreement was signed by KW Chang, Chairman of STARLUX Airlines, and Christian Scherer, CEO of Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus. Once delivered from 2027, STARLUX Cargo will operate the A350F with its payload of 111 tons and 8,700 km range, on some of the world’s busiest cargo routes. The new freighter which will sport the latest Rolls-Royce Trent-XWB97 engines, will be the more fuel-efficient cargo plane on the market. It will generate up to 40% less carbon emissions than an older 747F and is at least 20% more efficient than its competitor. “Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46-ton lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative. The A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027,” the release states, also pointing out that it “features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimized around the industry’s standard pallets and containers”.
STARLUX CEO, Glenn Chai, said: “STARLUX Airlines has continuously nurtured the cargo market since its inception, capitalizing on the strategic advantages offered by Taiwan’s geographical location. With this order, STARLUX becomes the first Taiwanese airline to operate the next-generation A350F widebody freighter. In an era of climate change, the A350F with Rolls-Royce Trent engine has unbeatable efficiency in terms of fuel burn, CO2 emissions, and economics, offering significant energy-saving and carbon reduction benefits. It not only meets customer requirements for carbon reduction but also aligns with STARLUX’s ESG plan to achieve zero emissions by 2050.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft, exclaimed: “We love working with STARLUX Airlines in building and strengthening its fleet. Operating both the latest generation Airbus single aisle and widebody aircraft brings the airline enormous benefits. It significantly reduces fuel consumption and carbon emission and offers unrivalled levels of technical commonality, benefits in maintenance and training. 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.”
