Airbus completes first A350F horizontal stabiliser in Spain
The production of the A350F’s first horizontal stabiliser (HTP) involved the Airbus plant in Cádiz, Spain.
Airbus has completed the first horizontal stabiliser (HTP) for the A350F freighter at its facilities in Spain, marking a key production milestone. The achievement underscores Spain’s vital role in the manufacturing of Airbus commercial aircraft, including the A350F programme, according to an official release from Airbus.
The production of the A350F’s first horizontal stabiliser (HTP) involved the Airbus plant in Cádiz, where parts of the HTP were manufactured, and Getafe, for assembly and outfitting.
The HTP will be shipped to Airbus’s Final Assembly Line in Toulouse in the coming weeks, where it will be joined to the fuselage of the first test aircraft. Airbus is building two A350F units for flight testing scheduled in 2026 and 2027.
The A350F HTP can be manufactured in the same production line as the passenger version, delivering operational and industrial advantages and improvements.
Airbus recently reached a key milestone in its A350F programme, with its Broughton site completing the first-ever set of wings for the new A350F.
“The A350F will offer a clean-sheet, specifically designed solution for air freight transport, bringing more efficiency and versatility to the cargo market. With more than 1,400 orders for the A350, including 66 A350Fs, Spain plays a key role in this programme that presents the future in air cargo transportation,” says Ricardo Rojas, President of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business in Spain.
Spain manufactures the horizontal stabiliser, rear fuselage (section 19), and lower wing covers for both the A350 and A350F. Additionally, the A350F’s main deck cargo door, the largest in the industry, will also be produced in Spain. Made of composite materials, the door features a 4.3-metre opening to enable faster, easier, and safer loading and unloading, the release added.
Designed to be the world's most advanced cargo aircraft, the A350F meets the evolving demands of the global air freight market. In terms of efficiency, it will offer at least a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to cargo aircraft currently in service.
