Airbus A350F may be a candidate for single-pilot operations

Illustration of the Airbus A350F - Image Souce: Airbus SE

At the 2021 Dubai Airshow, Air Lease Corporation (ALC) signed a letter of intent (LOI) to purchase 111 Airbus aircraft, including the first seven A350Fs, becoming the launch customer for the A350 freighter. As the A350Fs become operational, Airbus' wide-body aircraft will become the second-largest twin-engine cargo plane in the world.

According to Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury, the A350F might be a candidate for single-pilot operations. Considering the high level of automation of A350s, including automatic descent capability, it is an ideal aircraft for this kind of operation.

Airbus also announced a second customer for its A350Fs, the Marseille-based French logistics company, CMA CGM. Although, unlike Air Lease Corporation, CMA CGM, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus to purchase the A350Fs.

The A350F will be able to carry 109 tons of cargo, with 20% less fuel consumption and +3t more maximum payload than its competitor. 

A350F Infographic - Image Source: Airbus SE

The Active A350 Fleet (A350-900 & A350-1041) 

The active fleet of A350s tracked via RadarBox.com