Air China Cargo is to firm up another four Airbus A350 freighters by exercising options it acquired through an order for the type last year.
The carrier had previously agreed to take six firm aircraft.
But it has been newly disclosed that the carrier now intends to sign a “supplementary agreement” to convert options on four more.
Air China Cargo said the decision is intended to “accelerate the introduction of cargo aircraft” and expand the fleet.
“This transaction aligns with the company’s development plan and market demand, and will help optimise the company’s fleet structure and long-term capacity replenishment,” the carrier stated.
“It will build a large and medium-sized freighter capacity structure that meets market and customer needs, contributing to the company’s long-term stable operation.”
The cargo carrier had previously indicated that the originally-ordered aircraft would be delivered between 2029 and 2031.
The extra four are set to arrive over 2032-33, the carrier said.
The airline puts the value of the additional aircraft at $1.86bn at catalogue prices, but added that Airbus had “granted the company a price discount”.
Air China Cargo’s revised agreement also includes options on a further six A350Fs, with an exercise deadline at the end of next year.
The airline first customer to order the 111-tonne capacity A350F in the Chinese mainland.
According to fleet tracking site Planespotters.net, Air China Cargo currently has a fleet of 23 freighters consisting of eight Airbus A330-200Fs, two Boeing 747-400Fs and 13 Boeing 777Fs.
The carrier began taking delivery of its A330 converted freighters in 2024.
