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Airbus Successfully Completes Construction of First Airbus A350F Freighter Main Door in Spain

Airbus has today announced the completion of the manufacturing and assembly of the first main deck Airbus A350F Freighter door in Illescas, Spain, which has now been delivered to the Final Assembly Line in Toulouse.


Airbus Completes First A350F Freighter Main Deck Cargo Door in Spain - Courtesy Airbus
Airbus Completes First A350F Freighter Main Deck Cargo Door in Spain - Courtesy Airbus

On Thursday (April 23, 2026), Airbus announced that they have completed the manufacturing and assembly of the first main deck cargo door for the A350F freighter at their facility in Illescas, Spain. The component has now 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 to 2027.  Airbus’ plant in Illescas is one of the company’s leading centers for the manufacturing of large-scale, complex composite surfaces.  It manufactures the skins and assembles the door before it is delivered for its integration into the fuselage. 


In Thursday’s announcement, Airbus’ President – Commercial Aircraft Business in Spain, Ricardo Rojas, said,


“This milestone demonstrates Spain’s key role in the production of our commercial aircraft, including the A350F programme.  Delivering the first main deck cargo door is the result of years of preparation and extensive teamwork, showcasing the deep expertise and technical maturity that Illescas plant has refined over decades in composite materials.”


The unique A350F main deck cargo door is the largest in the industry, featuring a 4.5-meter cut-out width and a 4.3-meter-tall opening, and has been 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. 


As part of the pre-series production process the first 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 for integration into the aft fuselage and for the installation of the actuation systems. Then, that section of the fuselage will be transported to the FAL in Toulouse.


Designed to be the most advanced cargo aircraft in the world, the A350F meets the evolving demands of the global air freight market.  With a range of up to 4,698 nautical miles (8,700 km) carrying a payload of up to 111 tons, the A350F will allow operators to deploy it on international long-haul routes.  Made of over 70 percent advanced materials, the A350F is 46 tons lighter than the competition.  Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft will deliver a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 20 percent when compared to previous generation aircraft with a similar payload-range capability.  Additionally, it is the only freighter fully meeting ICAO's 2027 CO₂ emission standards.  As of March 31, 2026, the A350F had won 101 orders from 14 customers.



Source: Airbus

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