Will SQ Cargo order the A350F?

[9V-JKL]

The new released tech specs show a 109T payload, much higher than the original 90T payload. That's even more than the 77F!

[shikhargpt]

Did a quick and dirty comparison of the various viable freighter options SQ has/had:



Main things missing are of course the fuel burn and any concrete data for 777XF.

Personally super thrilled to have the A350F in SQ colours, I think it's gorgeous as an aircraft (especially in this livery). At the same time will be sad to see the Queens go from good from Singapore as a home base.

[Avenger777]

Yes they will be the launch customer.

SQ will be the launch "airline" not customer. I think there are other cargo operators ahead of SQ.

[SQA350]

https://www.aircargonews.net/airline...uvacDu_kqpXI_c

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Airbus to purchase seven of the recently launched A350F freighter aircraft, with options to order another five aircraft.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. SIA said it will become the first airline to operate this new generation circa 100-tonne widebody freighter aircraft.

The agreement includes a swap with 15 A320neo and two A350-900 passenger aircraft that are in the SIA Group order book.

Powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engine, the A350F at 109 tonnes payload capability can carry a similar volume of cargo as the Boeing 747-400F freighters, which it will replace in the SIA fleet. The company said it burns up to 40% less fuel on similar missions to provide better operational efficiency, and boasts a longer range that offers greater flexibility in aircraft deployment.

Goh Choon Phong, chief executive officer at Singapore Airlines, said: “This agreement with Airbus reinforces SIA’s position as a leading global air cargo carrier, while advancing our sustainability goals. It also ensures that we are prudent with our capital expenditure, and adjusts our passenger aircraft order book to give us the flexibility needed to navigate uncertainties in the recovery trajectory.”

SIA has bolstered its cargo capabilities over the last few years, especially in key segments such as e-commerce, fresh produce, and pharmaceuticals. Adding the A350Fs will reinforce these business investments while strengthening Singapore’s position as a global air cargo hub.

The company said the deal also supports its sustainability goals and commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Replacing the 747-400Fs with the A350Fs would cut SIA’s carbon emissions by around 400,000 tonnes annually, based on current operations.

Last month, Air Lease became the first customer for the A350F freighters, placing a provisional order for seven of the freighters. In the same month, CMA CGM signed a memorandum of understanding that covers the purchase of four A350F freighters.

The A350F will be competing with Boeing’s B777F, which is the only other newbuild freighter of the same size currently in the market, although it seems highly likely Boeing will soon add a B777X freighter to its line up.

[wlgspotter]

SQ will be the launch "airline" not customer. I think there are other cargo operators ahead of SQ.

Reading between the lines and some of the news articles, SQ appears to be the 3rd customer to "order" the A350F, with the 2 customers before SQ appearing to be Finance/Leasing companies and there were no mention of whom the actual operators of those orders are for. As such, SQ may yet become the first "operator" of the A350F, which could, in a way, allude to it being the "launch customer", which is usually taken to mean the first to operate the type...?

Anyway, at this stage it is still an LOI, with no firm orders/commitments placed yet so who knows, this could still change...

Just my 2cents worth of thoughts!

[flyguy]

It's just a "provisional" order and its mainly because SQ had to do this as it had to cancel 15 A320NEOs and 2 A350-900 passenger aircrafts mainly for Scoot. If SQ cancels these orders without exchanging for the A350 freighters, it will cost SQ a heavy penalty on cancellation charges. However, SQ still remains non committal on this as its a MOU or provisional at this time. SQ still can order the 777-300F or the new 777-9, as its existing 7 B744 freighters although the average age is near 20 years but still could go on for another 10 years. Believed that SQ lost out on ordering a few 748 freighters for its heavy and certain industrial cargo which can only be loaded through the front nose.

[jul247]

It's just a "provisional" order and its mainly because SQ had to do this as it had to cancel 15 A320NEOs and 2 A350-900 passenger aircrafts mainly for Scoot. If SQ cancels these orders without exchanging for the A350 freighters, it will cost SQ a heavy penalty on cancellation charges. However, SQ still remains non committal on this as its a MOU or provisional at this time. SQ still can order the 777-300F or the new 777-9, as its existing 7 B744 freighters although the average age is near 20 years but still could go on for another 10 years. Believed that SQ lost out on ordering a few 748 freighters for its heavy and certain industrial cargo which can only be loaded through the front nose.

Oh well, opportunity cost. Can't cover all markets, at least maybe they have covered 80-85% of their customer needs. The balance we shall leave it to Atlas/ UPS/Russian to pick them up.

I somehow think that they would not be paying an heavy penalty for the 15 A320neo and 2 A350 that were swapped out since all these 17 airframes are not in production sequence yet. Scoot A320neo will now reduced to 13 frames only and SQ A350 fleet will now be 65 once all deliveries are completed.

[flyguy]

Yes the main reason for SQ to swap the A320s and A350 pax is so that SQ do not even need to pay for any cancellation charges at all. However, getting the A350 freighters may not have been the choice if there's no swap to be done.

[FN-GM]

Reading between the lines and some of the news articles, SQ appears to be the 3rd customer to "order" the A350F, with the 2 customers before SQ appearing to be Finance/Leasing companies

It also doesn't mean they will take delivery before SQ.

[FN-GM]

Yes the main reason for SQ to swap the A320s and A350 pax is so that SQ do not even need to pay for any cancellation charges at all.

It's more likely that they wouldn't have to invest much more capital.

[yuuka_miya]

I wouldn't have put it past the negotiators to have said something along the lines of "shouldn't you be replacing your ageing 744Fs?" when SQ was trying to get the orders cancelled.

Seem to recall Scoot saying they were having problems negotiating deferments and/or cancellations, maybe taking the A350F was the solution.

[flyguy]

Without the 744 freighter in future, SIA will lose out on carrying some odd sized cargo and on chatyer fir cu=sych cargo which needs to be loaded via the nose door or for large cargo that cannot be fitted in the fuselage cargo door. Guess even the new GEx engines and RR for higher bypass twins will not be able to fit into the cargo cabin of the A350 which is smaller in width and height of the 744 and possibly the 772 freighter. Perhaps SQ have to retain a few of its 744s for a longer period of time and or although unlikely to buy 2 or 3 748s freighters if they are able to get in the secondary market. Having gone through this covid pandemic, there will be a need for SIA to have their cargo fleet and shuld even be increased as 7 planes is not really enough to get supplies during a pandemic.

[sbs2716g]

Without the 744 freighter in future, SIA will lose out on carrying some odd sized cargo and on chatyer fir cu=sych cargo which needs to be loaded via the nose door or for large cargo that cannot be fitted in the fuselage cargo door. Guess even the new GEx engines and RR for higher bypass twins will not be able to fit into the cargo cabin of the A350 which is smaller in width and height of the 744 and possibly the 772 freighter. Perhaps SQ have to retain a few of its 744s for a longer period of time and or although unlikely to buy 2 or 3 748s freighters if they are able to get in the secondary market. Having gone through this covid pandemic, there will be a need for SIA to have their cargo fleet and shuld even be increased as 7 planes is not really enough to get supplies during a pandemic.

Not sure why you are so persistent on the front loading issue ? How many times are SQ doing such shipment ? There are many alternatives with other airlines for this. The margin for such items might not be worth it for SQ. Esp if they have to fly a 747 to load up the item.

And Cargoes business does not really make money before covid. Only during covid when there are problem with massive delay in sea freight, which result in higher demand for air-freight.

[boing]

Without the 744 freighter in future, SIA will lose out on carrying some odd sized cargo and on chatyer fir cu=sych cargo which needs to be loaded via the nose door or for large cargo that cannot be fitted in the fuselage cargo door. Guess even the new GEx engines and RR for higher bypass twins will not be able to fit into the cargo cabin of the A350 which is smaller in width and height of the 744 and possibly the 772 freighter. Perhaps SQ have to retain a few of its 744s for a longer period of time and or although unlikely to buy 2 or 3 748s freighters if they are able to get in the secondary market. Having gone through this covid pandemic, there will be a need for SIA to have their cargo fleet and shuld even be increased as 7 planes is not really enough to get supplies during a pandemic.

The front loading capabilities of a B744F are rarely used as they are only used for specialised and lengthy cargoes.

And a fully built up GE90 can only be transported on a AN124, let alone a GEx engine. All other engines can be squeezed on a main deck of a B777 or B747. A350Fs cargo dimensions are yet to be out but considering jet engines are a common cargo in and out of Changi as Singapore has RR and P&W overhaul facilities as well as RR factory, I'm sure SIA has them factored when choosing A350F. The fuel economics alone on the A350 compared to the 747 would make this a worthy investment.

[flyguy]

Not sure why you are so persistent on the front loading issue ? How many times are SQ doing such shipment ? There are many alternatives with other airlines for this. The margin for such items might not be worth it for SQ. Esp if they have to fly a 747 to load up the item.

And Cargoes business does not really make money before covid. Only during covid when there are problem with massive delay in sea freight, which result in higher demand for air-freight.

Believed you are unaware as whenever if you have been to the cargo terminal, you would see the 747s with front loading nose door are always used and not seldom used as you mentioned. SIA Cargo have been using the 747 freighters all along these many many years. And air cargo is still a making profit business even way before covid as can be seen that there are many air cargo airlines alone and many of them fly the 747s for example Cargolux, AirBridgeCargo, and even Cathay Pacific and Qatar and Emirates have a sizeable cargo fleet. And you see passenger airlines have always been in the news for making losses even before covid but hardly heard of a cargo airline making losses.