Airbus Set to Finish Toulouse Line Upgrade for A350 Freighter

Airbus is on track to complete the adaptation of its final assembly line in Toulouse within the next six months to prepare for the A350 Freighter (A350F), a cargo variant of its A350 twinjet. The modifications, initiated in 2023, are tailored to meet the specific requirements of the A350F.

The A350-1000F, positioned between the A350-900 and A350-1000 passenger models, necessitates adjustments to production processes to accommodate its unique design. Airbus has reconfigured eight stations on the assembly line to support the freighter’s specialized needs.

By October 2024, updates to the forward sections of these stations were completed to handle the larger fuselage and aft-mounted cargo door. These modifications included alterations to concrete foundations, hardware, and software, as well as the installation of new platforms and jigs for freighter-specific components.

At Station 50, Airbus introduced an adaptable platform for systems installation. Station 40 was equipped with a specialized platform to transfer the freighter’s cargo-loading system, while a 14-meter platform at Station 30 now facilitates inspection of the cargo door area.

In parallel with these upgrades, Airbus is seeking regulatory approval for the A350F. The company has requested special conditions from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow up to 11 supernumerary personnel in a cabin behind the cockpit.

Production of the freighter’s large sections is already underway at Airbus’s aerostructures facilities in France and Germany, with final assembly slated to begin in 2025.