Airbus completes first A350F main deck cargo door

Airbus has concluded the manufacturing and assembly of the door for the first main deck cargo, A350F freighter. The development took place at its facility in Illescas, Spain, after which the included component is delivered to the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse. As per the plan, the test aircraft will undergo testing in the upcoming weeks, once the component is integrated into the fuselage. In total, two A350F aircraft are under development by Airbus, within the set deadline of 2026 to 2027.

A350F main deck cargo door is going to be the largest in the industry with a 4.5 metre cut-out width and 4.3 metre tall opening. The aim is to make loading and unloading operations easier and quicker, along with ensuring safety. The door is positioned in the rear fuselage and is made from composite materials. It consists of an electrical open/close actuation system.

The facility in Illescas is one of the company’s top centres for the building of large-scale, complex composite surfaces. It contributes to manufacturing the skins and assembling of the door, and is later sent for delivery for its incorporation into the fuselage.

Pre-process of the first main deck cargo doors includes installation in Toulouse. Further, it moves to the serial production, followed by the delivery from Illescas to Hamburg for integration into the aft fuselage and the installation of the actuation systems. Once the process reaches here, the section of the fuselage is prepared to be transported to the FAL in Toulouse following the Airbus production process.

President of Airbus’ 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”.

With the motive of becoming the world’s most advanced cargo aircraft, A350F fulfills the upgraded demands of the international air freight market. The enhanced version, such as the range capability of up to 8,700 kilometres and payload of up to 111 tonnes, will support the operators to deploy the aircraft on international long-haul routes. A350F weighs 46 tonnes, which is quite lighter than other aircraft and is manufactured with 70% of advanced materials.

The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, and is expected to consume less fuel and carbon emissions by 20%, in comparison to previous generation aircraft, with the same payload-range capability.

This is the only freighter that completely aligns with the ICAO’s 2027 CO2 emission standards. Currently, it is designed to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) however, the aim is to take it to 100% capability by 2030, with all Airbus aircraft. By the end of March 2026, the A350F had managed to register 101 orders from 14 customers.