Air China Cargo has ordered four more Airbus A350 freighters, taking its total commitment for the model to 10 aircraft as Chinese cargo carriers expand and modernize fleets to meet rising international freight demand.

The carrier previously ordered six A350F freighters in November of last year.

"The additional order is an important strategic decision to further optimize our fleet structure and upgrade cargo capacity," Wang Hongyan, vice-president at Air China Cargo, said in a statement, adding that the aircraft would help the company better meet demand in the international air cargo market and support its long-term growth plans.

The deal gives another lift to Airbus as it competes with US rival Boeing in the global freighter market.

Beno?t de Saint-Exupéry, executive vice-president sales of the commercial aircraft business at Airbus, said the follow-on order reflected Air China Cargo's confidence in the A350F program and highlighted the aircraft's position in the next-generation freighter market.

Air China Cargo began introducing Airbus freighters at the end of 2023 and now operates eight A330-200P2F converted freighters. The airline said the A350F would work alongside those aircraft on long-haul and medium-to-long-haul routes.

Airbus says the A350F can carry up to 111 tons of cargo over distances of as much as 8,700 kilometers, making it suitable for international long-haul operations.

The A350F is also the only freighter fully compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organization's 2027 carbon emissions standards, Airbus said.

As of the end of April, Airbus had won 101 A350F orders from 14 customers worldwide.