World’s biggest Airbus A350 freighter order has strong connections to Prestwick

By Aviation Editor Doug Maclean

For many Ayrshire People the name Polar Air Cargo and then Atlas Air was synonymous with the many Boeing 747s which used to fly in from around the world for maintenance at the Polar “Jumbo” Hangar. That building is now the home of Storm Aviation who have a thriving aircraft maintenance business at Prestwick.

Image - Airbus

Atlas Air, who now own Polar Air Cargo, hit the headlines this week when they ordered 20 of the new Airbus A350 freighters. This will make them the world’s biggest operator of the soon to be introduced A350 and the first in the USA. It has also been reported that they have 20 more options.

Atlas are very keen to add the new Rolls Royce powered Airbus aircraft to their existing all Boeing fleet of 113 aircraft. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2029 and all 20 will be in service by 2034.

Atlas Air companies have used Prestwick for decades. Their fleet is a mix of passenger and freight aircraft. Local aviation photographer Kai Brown braved the heavy showers just a few nights ago and took an excellent picture of one of the Atlas Boeing 767s on the apron at Prestwick.

Prestwick Aerospace is the proud new name of the Ayrshire manufacturing site where the skilled workforce produce wing sections for many different aircraft. Their current programme produces the fixed leading edge for wing of the Airbus A350 family of aircraft and that will include the Atlas aircraft ordered this week.

Prestwick Aerospace also manufacture wing and component parts for the Airbus 320 family, the Airbus 330 and the Boeing 767. Where Prestwick and many other European sites keep ahead of the world wide competition is in constant innovation. Modern composite materials have been developed by the aerospace industry making new aircraft stronger and lighter than the older aircraft they are replacing.

The new Airbus freighter will have over 70% of the airframe made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46 tonne lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative aircraft. The A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet International enhanced CO₂ emission standards, coming into effect in 2027.

Image - Kai Brown

Prestwick airport has recently invested in new ground handling freight equipment which will be ready to load and unload from the new Airbus 350 freighters which are also on order with Air France and China Airlines. In a few years’ time the aircraft will likely be a very common sight operating through Prestwick.