Airbus receives aft fuselage for first A350F at Toulouse assembly line

The various components for assembly are produced across different locations: center section from Nordenham (Germany), engine pylons from Toulouse (France), rear section from Getafe (Spain), front section from Montoir de Bretagne (France), wings from Broughton (UK), and stabilizer also from Getafe. These logistics require coordination among several Airbus production sites throughout Europe.

The first set of wings was completed at Broughton by late May before being transported to Bremen for equipping and then shipped to Toulouse using BelugaXL transport aircraft. Final assembly activities are planned to begin at summer’s end 2025.

Aurelia Desbordes, VP - Head of CDT A350 & A330 Program at Airbus, stated that over 100 mechanics and electricians worked on fitting out key systems—such as electrics, hydraulics, air conditioning, and water pipes—on these major sections prior to shipment.

The design approach allows cargo version wings to be manufactured alongside passenger model wings using composite materials intended to lower weight while increasing aerodynamic performance. Two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines will power each aircraft.

Based on information reported by ch-aviation (https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/132796-air-france-klm-reduces-a350f-order-to-six-aircraft), there have been up to 68 orders placed for the new freighter variant so far; customers include Etihad Airways and Starlux with ten units each ordered; CMA CGM Air Cargo with eight; plus thirteen units purchased by undisclosed clients. France’s CMA CGM is expected to serve as launch customer.

Recent months have seen some cancellations or reductions: Air France-KLM lowered its order due to delays while US-based lessor Air Lease withdrew an initial commitment for seven planes.

Airbus designed this model specifically to comply with ICAO CO2 emission standards effective starting 2027. The company recently celebrated delivery of its hundredth A350-1000 passenger jet—a platform upon which much of the freighter's design is based but adapted with a slightly shorter fuselage suited for cargo use.