Aviation News: A350F Flies, Ethiopian Orders 777Fs, MAX 10 Delayed
Airbus flies the A350F, Ethiopian expands its freighter fleet, Boeing’s MAX 10 slips again, and global air cargo demand strengthens.
A350F Takes Flight as Cargo, Fleet Renewal and Certification Drive the Aviation Agenda
Freighters are back at the centre of the aviation market.
Airbus has started flight testing the A350F, Ethiopian Airlines has committed to a major expansion of its Boeing freighter fleet, and global air cargo demand continues to rise. At the same time, Boeing faces another delay to the 737 MAX 10 certification programme while passenger demand has softened.
The important themes today are freighter replacement, certification risk, fleet renewal and the widening difference between passenger and cargo traffic.
Airbus begins A350F flight testing
Airbus has completed the maiden flight of the A350F , moving the new widebody freighter into its flight-test programme.
MSN 700 flew for 4 hours and 10 minutes and reached 25,000 feet. Airbus says the programme will now move through more than nine months of flight testing using two test aircraft.
Why it matters: the A350F gives operators another clean-sheet large freighter option as older 747s, 767s and early-generation widebody freighters move deeper into their replacement cycle.
Ethiopian Airlines orders ten Boeing freighters
Ethiopian Airlines has signed an agreement covering eight Boeing 777-8Fs and two 777Fs . The airline also secured rights to acquire another eight 777-8Fs.
Ethiopian already operates 12 Boeing 777 freighters, three 767 freighters and four converted 737 cargo aircraft. The deal adds another layer of long-term capacity to one of Africa's largest dedicated air cargo operations.
Boeing 737 MAX 10 certification slips again
The FAA has delayed certification of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 while Boeing works through a flight-guidance software issue affecting a specific landing and go-around scenario.
The immediate commercial issue is timing. Airlines with MAX 10 orders have fleet plans, capacity assumptions and delivery schedules tied to certification.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday that authorities currently see no need to ground the existing 737 MAX fleet over the issue.
Passenger demand softens while cargo keeps growing
The latest IATA data shows two different markets developing underneath the same aviation cycle.
Global passenger demand in August versus the same month last year.
Global air cargo demand in August versus the same month last year.
IATA reported that total passenger demand fell 0.8% year-on-year in August, with total capacity up 0.3% and load factor falling to 85.1%.
Cargo moved in the opposite direction. Global cargo tonne-kilometres rose 4.4% while available cargo capacity fell 0.1%.
CDB Aviation starts its Norwegian relationship with a 737-8
CDB Aviation has delivered the first of four Boeing 737-8 aircraft to Norwegian . It is the first aircraft the lessor has placed with the Nordic carrier under lease agreements signed in December 2024.
Leasing angle: transactions like this show why operating leases remain central to fleet renewal. Airlines can introduce new-generation aircraft while spreading capital requirements across ownership, leasing and financing channels.
FLYONE Armenia firms up two A321neos
FLYONE Armenia has finalised its first direct Airbus order , covering two A321neo aircraft powered by CFM International LEAP engines.
The aircraft will be configured with 239 economy seats. FLYONE Armenia currently operates 11 A320-family aircraft and plans to use the new capacity as it expands its route network.
What to watch next
A350F testing
Airbus now has to convert a successful maiden flight into a full certification campaign ahead of entry into service.
MAX 10 schedule
Any further movement in certification timing will feed directly into airline fleet planning and delivery schedules.
Cargo economics
Stronger cargo demand is supportive, although fuel costs remain a major variable for freighter operators.
Aviation markets, aircraft, airlines, leasing and fleet strategy.
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