Airbus has completed the manufacturing and assembly of the first main deck cargo door for its A350F freighter programme, marking an important milestone in the development of what the company describes as the world’s most advanced cargo aircraft.
The door was produced at Airbus’ facility in Illescas, Spain, and has now been delivered to the Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, where it will be integrated into the fuselage of the first test aircraft ahead of further testing in the coming weeks.
Airbus is currently building two A350F aircraft for flight testing between 2026 and 2027.
The main deck cargo door is the largest in the industry, with a cut-out width of 4.5 metres and an opening height of 4.3 metres. Positioned in the rear fuselage to maintain the aircraft’s optimal centre of gravity during loading, the door has been designed to make cargo operations easier, faster and safer. It is made of composite materials and uses an electrically powered opening and closing system.
The Illescas plant is one of Airbus’ main centres for the production of large and complex composite structures. The site manufactures the skins and assembles the cargo door before it is sent for fuselage integration.
As part of the pre-series production phase, the first main deck cargo doors will be installed in Toulouse. Once serial production begins, the doors will be shipped from Illescas to Hamburg, where they will be integrated into the aft fuselage and fitted with actuation systems before that section is transported to Toulouse.
Ricardo Rojas, president of Airbus’ commercial aircraft business in Spain, said the milestone demonstrates Spain’s strategic role in Airbus commercial aircraft production and reflects years of preparation, deep expertise and strong teamwork at the Illescas site.
The A350F has been designed to respond to the evolving needs of the global air freight market. With a range of up to 8,700 km and a payload of up to 111 tonnes, the aircraft is intended for long-haul international operations. Airbus says the aircraft is made of more than 70% advanced materials and is 46 tonnes lighter than competing models.
Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the freighter is expected to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 20% compared with previous-generation aircraft with similar payload-range capabilities. Airbus also says the A350F is the only freighter fully compliant with ICAO’s 2027 CO₂ standards.
The aircraft will be able to operate with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel at entry into service, with a target of reaching 100% capability by 2030, in line with Airbus’ broader fleet ambitions.
At the end of March 2026, the A350F had accumulated 101 orders from 14 customers.
