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Source | Airbus
Airbus (Toulouse, France) has completed the manufacturing and assembly of the first composite main deck cargo door for the A350F freighter at its facility in Illescas, Spain. The component has been delivered to the final assembly line (FAL) in Toulouse, where it will be integrated into the fuselage of the first test aircraft and undergo testing in the coming weeks. Airbus is manufacturing two A350F aircraft for flight testing from 2026-2027.
The A350F main deck cargo door is reported to be the largest in the industry. Featuring a 4.3-meter-wide clear opening and a 3.15-meter-high clear opening, it is designed to make loading and unloading operations easier, faster and safer. Located in the rear fuselage to maintain an optimal center of gravity during loading, the door is made from composite materials and features an electrical open/close actuation system.
The Airbus plant in Illescas is one of the company’s leading centers for the manufacturing of large-scale, complex composite surfaces (read about it in CW’s plant tour). It manufactures the skins and assembles the door before it is delivered for its integration into the fuselage.
As part of the pre-series production process, the main deck cargo doors will be installed in Toulouse. Once serial production starts, the main deck cargo door will be delivered from Illescas to Hamburg, Germany, for integration into the aft fuselage and for installation of the actuation systems. From there, that section of the fuselage will be transported to the FAL in Toulouse following the Airbus production process.
“Delivering the main deck cargo door is the result of years of preparation and extensive teamwork, showcasing the deep expertise and technical maturity that the Illescas plant has refined over decades in composite materials,” says Ricardo Rojas, president of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business in Spain.
The A350F cargo aircraft is designed to meet global air freight market’s evolving demands. It has a range capability of up to 8,700 kilometrers with and a payload of up to 111 tonnes, enabling operators to deploy it on international long-haul routes. Made of more than 70% advanced materials — including the horizontal stabilizer and wingset — the A350F is 46 tonnes lighter than competitors.
Powered by Rolls-Royce (London, U.K.) Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft will bring fuel consumption and carbon emissions reduction of up to 20% when compared to previous-generation aircraft with a similar payload-range capability. The A350F also fully meets ICAO’s 2027 CO₂ emission standards. The aircraft will be able to operate with up to 50% sustaianable aviation fuel (SAF) at entry-to-service, with the aim for 100% capability by 2030, as with all Airbus aircraft.
