Air cargo leaders urge Boeing and Airbus to develop dedicated midsize freighters, eyeing a potential 787F

Global air cargo executives are calling on major aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus to introduce a dedicated next-generation midsize freighter, with industry focus increasingly targeting a potential factory-built Boeing 787 Freighter (787F). As legacy 767-300F and A330-200F fleets approach retirement and ageing converted freighters face tightening environmental regulations, cargo operators are highlighting a growing capacity gap between standard narrowbody freighters and ultra-large twin-engine freighters like the 777F and upcoming A350F. Industry analysts emphasise that a dedicated midsize freighter leveraging composite structures and modern high-bypass turbofans would offer superior fuel efficiency, longer payload-range performance, and reduced carbon emissions tailored for regional express networks and long-haul e-commerce trade corridors. With cross-border digital commerce expanding rapidly and ocean freight disruptions prompting modal shifts to air transport, cargo operators are pressing OEMs to commit to clean-sheet mid-market freighter developments to meet long-term fleet modernisations.