Taiwanese carrier STARLUX orders A350Fs and A330neo aircraft

STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has placed a firm order for five all-new A350F freighters and three more A330neo wide-body aircraft. The agreement was signed at the Singapore Airshow by KW Chang, Chairman of STARLUX Airlines and Christian Scherer, CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus.

STARLUX Airlines operates an all-Airbus passenger fleet that already includes the A350-900, A330neo and A321neo. The A350F will be operated by STARLUX Cargo on some of the world’s busiest cargo routes. 

Currently under development, the A350F can carry a payload of up to 111 tonnes and can fly up to 4,700 nautical miles / 8,700 kilometres. The A350F will enable STARLUX Cargo to serve all heavy cargo markets around the world.

Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent-XWB97 engines, the aircraft will bring a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% when compared with the older 747F and is at least 20% more efficient than its competitor.

The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46-tonne 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.