(Posted 24th April 2026)
Airbus has completed the manufacturing and assembly of the first 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 to 2027.
The A350F main deck cargo door is the largest in the industry. Featuring a 4.5-metre cut-out width and a 4.3-metre tall opening, it is designed to make loading and unloading operations easier, faster, and safer. Located in the rear fuselage to maintain an optimal centre 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 centres 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.
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. From there, that section of the fuselage will be transported to the FAL in Toulouse following the Airbus production process.
Ricardo Rojas, President of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business in Spain, 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”.
Designed to be the world’s most advanced cargo aircraft, the A350F meets the evolving demands of the global air freight market. Thanks to a range capability of up to 8,700 kilometres with a payload of up to 111 tonnes, it will allow operators to deploy it on international long-haul routes. Made of over 70% advanced materials, the A350F is 46 tonnes lighter than competitors.
Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft will bring a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 20% when compared to previous generation aircraft with a similar payload-range capability. It is the only freighter fully meeting ICAO’s 2027 CO? emission standards. The A350F will be able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at entry-to-service, with the aim for 100% capability by 2030, as with all Airbus aircraft.
At the end of March 2026, the A350F had registered 101 orders from 14 customers.
Read more about the A350F here.
