Singapore Airlines is preparing for the arrival of its first A350F as it continues to manage the hurdles challenging the freighter market.

The airline will gradually retire its 747-400Fs as Airbus starts delivering its new large-widebody in 2026, but no estimate has been given for when the transition will be complete.

“It’s really a lot of work, and rightly so,” Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President of Cargo Marvin Tan said during a fireside chat at Cargo Facts Asia 2024 in Singapore last week. “I mean, we really have to go through all of our processes, our systems, our training, our preparedness, even staff engagement, with a fine-toothed comb.”

Listen to Tan on the latest episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast.

Singapore Airlines was the first 747-400F operator to commit to the A350F and has seven on firm order.

“From an operational perspective, I think two things. One is that, obviously, you lose the nose-loading capability; for us this is a fairly small segment of the cargo, so I think it’s manageable for us,” Tan says. “The other aspect, of course, is more just the loading configuration, because of the different contours of the aircraft, so some adjustment needed there.”

Geopolitical and economic issues as well as labor and supply chain challenges continue to affect the airfreight industry.

“All these factors come into play in terms of us figuring out how best to make use of the capacity that we have on hand, until, of course, the A350Fs come online,” Tan says.

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear an edited extract of the discussion with Tan.